BDNF serum concentrations in 2053 participants of the Berlin Aging Study II

Serum BDNF concentrations in 2053 participants of the Berlin Aging Study II (BASE-II; 1572 individuals from the older age group [60-85 years], 481 individuals from the younger-age reference group [22-37 years]) were studied. There was no effect of age, sex, body mass index, self-reported depression, or BDNF Val66Met variant on serum BDNF concentrations. Multiple linear regression analysis failed to detect significant relationships of Digit Symbol Substitution Test score and Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease memory score to BDNF levels. However, we detected a positive correlation between platelet counts and BDNF levels (r = 0.303, p < 0.001). Our findings do not support an effect of aging, self-reported depression, or the Val66Met variant on serum BDNF concentrations. The role of thrombocytes in the biology of serum BDNF merits further study. (c) 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study found no significant effect of age, sex, body mass index, self-reported depression, or BDNF Val66Met variant on serum BDNF concentrations, but identified a positive correlation between platelet counts and BDNF levels. There was no significant relationship between Digit Symbol Substitution Test score and Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease memory score with BDNF levels.