Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, 5-1-1 Nabeshima, Saga, 849-8501, Japan.
Division of Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization Hizen Psychiatric Center, Saga, 842-0192, Japan.
Sci Rep. 2020 Oct 5;10(1):16442. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-73576-1.
The beneficial effects of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-a member of the neurotrophin family-on cognitive function or dementia are well established in both rodents and human beings. In contrast, little is known about the association of proBDNF-a precursor protein with opposing neuronal effects of BDNF-with cognitive function in non-demented older adults. We analyzed brain magnetic resonance imaging findings of 256 community-dwelling older adults (mean age of 68.4 years). Serum BDNF and proBDNF levels were measured by quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Logistic regression analysis revealed that older age, less physical activity, hippocampal atrophy, and lower BDNF levels were independently associated with memory impairment determined by the Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test. Path analysis based on structural equation modeling indicated that age, sport activity, hippocampal atrophy and BDNF but not proBDNF were individually associated with Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test scores. These findings suggest that impaired BDNF function, in addition to physical inactivity and hippocampal atrophy, is associated with age-related memory impairment. Therefore, BDNF may be a potential target for dementia prevention.
脑源性神经营养因子（BDNF）是神经营养因子家族的成员，它对认知功能或痴呆的有益影响在啮齿动物和人类中都得到了很好的证实。相比之下，人们对前体蛋白 proBDNF 与 BDNF 的相反神经元效应与认知功能的关系知之甚少。我们分析了 256 名居住在社区的老年人（平均年龄 68.4 岁）的脑磁共振成像结果。通过定量酶联免疫吸附试验测量血清 BDNF 和 proBDNF 水平。逻辑回归分析显示，年龄较大、体力活动较少、海马萎缩和 BDNF 水平较低与 Rivermead 行为记忆测试确定的记忆障碍独立相关。基于结构方程模型的路径分析表明，年龄、体育活动、海马萎缩和 BDNF 但不是 proBDNF 与 Rivermead 行为记忆测试分数单独相关。这些发现表明，除了体力活动不足和海马萎缩外，BDNF 功能受损也与年龄相关的记忆障碍有关。因此，BDNF 可能是预防痴呆的潜在靶点。
