The brain-derived neurotrophic factor is associated with alcohol dependence-related depression and antidepressant response

Abstract Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an essential role in neuronal survival, proliferation, and synaptic remodeling and modulates the function of many other neurotransmitters. Additionally, it likely underlies neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders, including alcohol dependence-related depression (AD-D). Here, we investigated the possible association between three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the BDNF gene (rs13306221, rs6265, rs16917204) and AD-D. Of 548 patients with alcohol dependence (AD), 166 had AD-D and 312 healthy controls. Response to 8-week sertraline treatment was also assessed. The frequency of the A allele of rs6265 (Val66Met) was significantly higher in AD-D patients than in the healthy controls ( p = 0.009 after Bonferroni correction). The analysis revealed a strong association between the rs6265 genotype distribution and AD-D ( p = 0.005 after Bonferroni correction), and the A allele of rs6265 was significantly overrepresented in AD-D patients compared to AD without depression (AD-nD) patients ( p = 0.001 after Bonferroni correction). Additionally, carriers of the A allele of rs6265 responded better to sertraline treatment ( p = 0.001). Our results suggested a novel association between BDNF rs6265 and AD-D. These findings might lead to earlier detection of AD-D, perhaps providing better tools for clinical care of these patients in the future.