Longitudinal multi-level biomarker analysis of BDNF in major depression and bipolar disorder

Preliminary evidence suggests that BDNF (brain derived neurotrophic factor) rs6265 genetic polymorphism, BDNF gene promotor methylation and BDNF serum levels might play an important role in the pathogenesis of affective disorders. As studies testing the BDNF system across molecular levels are sparse, this study aimed at investigating the BDNF val66met genotype, BDNF DNA methylation changes and peripheral BDNF serum levels in acute and remitted phases of MDD (major depressive disorder) and BD (bipolar disorder) and healthy controls. We found a significant difference of methylation levels at CpG site 1-1-1 and 3-1-1 between MDD and healthy controls ( p