Brain-derived neurotrophic factor as predictor of early-onset poststroke depression

Abstract

Background

Poststroke depression (PSD), with an approximately one third prevalence in stroke patients, is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. This study investigated the relationship between serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and early-onset PSD, along with other clinical variables.

Methods

Clinical data and radiological images of 88 patients diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke were examined. Serum BDNF levels were measured within the first 72 hours following stroke diagnosis. On the 14th day following stroke diagnosis, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD17), and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) were administered to the patients.

Results

Serum BDNF levels (P = 0.022) and MoCA values (P = 0.004) of patients with early-onset PSD were significantly lower, and NIHSS values (P = 0.027) were significantly higher compared to patients without early-onset PSD. There was a significantly negative correlation between BDNF value and HAMD-17 score. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to investigate the extent that BDNF level could predict early-onset PSD, and cut-off values were determined. For a BDNF cut-off value of 361.5, sensitivity and specificity values were 75% and 56%, respectively, indicating that serum BDNF levels could serve as a useful predictor of early-onset PSD.

Conclusion

Lower serum BDNF levels are associated with early-onset PSD and may serve as a potential biomarker, although causal conclusions are limited due to the study's cross-sectional design.