Schmitt Karen, Holsboer-Trachsler Edith, Eckert Anne
a Neurobiology Lab for Brain Aging and Mental Health , Transfaculty Research Platform, Molecular & Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Basel , Basel , Switzerland ;
b Psychiatric University Clinics, University of Basel , Basel , Switzerland ;
Ann Med. 2016;48(1-2):42-51. doi: 10.3109/07853890.2015.1131327. Epub 2016 Jan 13.
The protein brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a member of the neurotrophin family of growth factors involved in plasticity of neurons in several brain regions. There are numerous evidence that BDNF expression is decreased by experiencing psychological stress and that, accordingly, a lack of neurotrophic support causes major depression. Furthermore, disruption in sleep homeostatic processes results in higher stress vulnerability and is often associated with stress-related mental disorders. Recently, we reported, for the first time, a relationship between BDNF and insomnia and sleep deprivation (SD). Using a biphasic stress model as explanation approach, we discuss here the hypothesis that chronic stress might induce a deregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system. In the long-term it leads to sleep disturbance and depression as well as decreased BDNF levels, whereas acute stress like SD can be used as therapeutic intervention in some insomniac or depressed patients as compensatory process to normalize BDNF levels. Indeed, partial SD (PSD) induced a fast increase in BDNF serum levels within hours after PSD which is similar to effects seen after ketamine infusion, another fast-acting antidepressant intervention, while traditional antidepressants are characterized by a major delay until treatment response as well as delayed BDNF level increase. Key messages Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a key role in the pathophysiology of stress-related mood disorders. The interplay of stress and sleep impacts on BDNF level. Partial sleep deprivation (PSD) shows a fast action on BDNF level increase.
脑源性神经营养因子（BDNF）是生长因子神经营养素家族的成员，参与多个脑区神经元的可塑性。有大量证据表明，经历心理压力会降低BDNF的表达，因此，神经营养支持的缺乏会导致重度抑郁症。此外，睡眠稳态过程的破坏会导致更高的应激易感性，并且常与应激相关的精神障碍有关。最近，我们首次报道了BDNF与失眠和睡眠剥夺（SD）之间的关系。使用双相应激模型作为解释方法，我们在此讨论慢性应激可能导致下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺系统失调的假说。长期来看，它会导致睡眠障碍、抑郁以及BDNF水平降低，而像SD这样的急性应激可以作为某些失眠或抑郁患者的治疗干预措施，作为使BDNF水平正常化的代偿过程。事实上，部分睡眠剥夺（PSD）在PSD后数小时内可使血清BDNF水平快速升高，这与氯胺酮输注后观察到的效果相似，氯胺酮是另一种速效抗抑郁干预措施，而传统抗抑郁药的特点是治疗反应延迟以及BDNF水平升高延迟。关键信息：脑源性神经营养因子（BDNF）在应激相关情绪障碍的病理生理学中起关键作用。应激与睡眠的相互作用会影响BDNF水平。部分睡眠剥夺（PSD）对BDNF水平升高有快速作用。
