Association studies of the BDNF and the NTRK2 gene polymorphisms with prophylactic lithium response in bipolar patients

Pharmacogenomics. 2008 Nov;9(11):1595-603. doi: 10.2217/14622416.9.11.1595.

Abstract

The neuroplasticity hypothesis of bipolar disorder indicates that the BDNF/Trk signaling pathway is associated with the pathogenesis of this illness and treatment with mood stabilizers, such as lithium. This paper describes a relationship between response to lithium prophylaxis and polymorphisms of two functionally connected genes: BDNF and NTRK2, in bipolar illness. Analyses of four SNPs of the BDNF gene (rs2030324, rs988748, rs6265 [Val66Met]and rs2203877) and three of the NTRK2 gene (rs1187326, rs2289656, rs1187327) were performed in the 108 bipolar patients, classified as excellent responders (23%), partial responders (51%) and nonresponders (26%) to lithium. An association of C/G (rs988748) and G/A (rs6265) polymorphisms of the BDNF gene with a degree of prophylactic lithium response were found. No association with lithium response was revealed with the polymorphism of NTRK2 gene, neither with interaction of BDNF and NTRK2 genes.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antimanic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antimanic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Bipolar Disorder / genetics
  • Bipolar Disorder / prevention & control*
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / genetics*
  • DNA / genetics
  • Epistasis, Genetic
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lithium Carbonate / administration & dosage
  • Lithium Carbonate / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide*
  • Receptor, trkB / genetics*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antimanic Agents
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
  • Lithium Carbonate
  • DNA
  • Receptor, trkB