Association between BDNF-196 G>A and BDNF-270 C>T polymorphisms, BDNF concentration, and rTMS-supported long-term rehabilitation outcome after ischemic stroke

Issue title: Balance and Vestibular Function

Guest editors: Brian D. Greenwald and James M. Gurley

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Mirowska-Guzel, Dagmara^{a; b} | Gromadzka, Grazyna^{a; b} | Seniow, Joanna^b | Lesniak, Marcin^b | Bilik, Marta^b | Waldowski, Konrad^b | Gruchala, Katarzyna^a | Czlonkowski, Andrzej^a | Czlonkowska, Anna^{a; b; *}

Affiliations: [a] Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland | [b] 2nd Department of Neurology (Stroke Unit), Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Anna Czlonkowska, 2nd Department of Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Sobieskiego 9, 02-957 Warsaw, Poland. Tel.: +48 22 842 76 83; or +48 22 458 25 37; Fax: +48 22 842 40 23; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: Background:The efficacy of rehabilitation in ischemic stroke patients likely varies because of brain plasticity. One of the main neurotrophins in the central nervous system is brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Objectives:This study aimed to determine allelic and genotypic distribution of BDNF-196 G>A and -270 C>T polymorphisms, and to assess the impact of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on serum BDNF concentrations measured before rehabilitation, after the first 6 h of rehabilitation, and after 3 weeks of rehabilitation. Methods:Twenty-six patients with hand paresis and 20 with aphasia were randomly assigned to treatment with rTMS or sham stimulation (placebo group). Results:In men with aphasia, after the first 6 h of rTMS-supported rehabilitation, BDNF concentration was lower among rTMS-treated patients than placebo-treated patients. A similar difference was observed in women with aphasia after 3 weeks of rTMS-supported rehabilitation. No significant differences in serum BDNF concentration were observed in patients with different BDNF-196 G>A or -270 C>T genotypes. During the observation period, BDNF concentration did not differ significantly between patients who improved and those who did not. Discussion:One possible explanation for the observed difference between rTMS-stimulated and sham-stimulated patients is the suppression of BDNF production by rTMS in the healthy brain hemisphere.

Keywords: Aphasia, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), hand paresis, ischemic stroke, rehabilitation, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-130879

Journal: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 32, no. 3, pp. 573-582, 2013