Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in the Acute and Early Recovery Period of Ischemic Stroke: The Role of Nocturnal Hypoxemia

Objective . To study the relationship between the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level and the severity of nocturnal hypoxemia in patients in the acute and early recovery periods of ischemic stroke (IS). Materials and methods . The study included 44 patients (27 men and 17 women) aged 18–85 years in the acute phase of IS. A total of 35 patients (21 men and 14 women) were examined at follow-up three months later. During the acute period, routine diagnostic procedures were supplemented with respiratory monitoring and measurement of serum BDNF levels using an enzyme immunoassay method. BDNF levels were also re-evaluated at outpatient visits three months after IS. Neurological status and changes during the acute period of stroke were assessed as part of routine clinical practice using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) on admission and discharge. Results . Weak direct relationships were found between the durations of hypoxemia and saturation levels (SpO 2 ) of