Brain-derived neurotrophic factor in patients with normal-tension glaucoma.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to detect and measure brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the tears of normal subjects and patients with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG).

Materials And Methods: Twenty patients with NTG as the case group and 20 normal subjects with the same age range as the control group were tested. The control group consisted of 16 men and 4 women, ranging in age from 40 to 75, without any apparent ocular or systemic disease. The case group consisted of 15 men and 5 women, ranging in age from 45 to 74. BDNF levels in tears were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using monoclonal antibodies specific for BDNF (R&D Systems, Minneapolis, Minnesota).

Results: The mean level of BDNF detected in the tears of the normal subjects was 77.09 +/- 4.84 ng/mL and the BDNF levels in the tears of case group were 24.33 +/- 1.48 ng/mL (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: We suggest that BDNF in the tears might be a useful biochemical marker for early detection of normal-tension glaucoma (NTG).