Brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels and depression during methamphetamine withdrawal.

Abstract Background Depression symptoms is highly comorbid with methamphetamine (METH) dependence. Except for the role in the pathophysiology of depression symptoms, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is also involved in the METH dependence. The present study aims to explore whether BDNF plays a role in the development of depression symptoms during METH withdrawal. Methods We recruited 179 patients with METH dependence who were followed up for two weeks. Ultimately, 131 (73.2%) patients finished the follow-up. Besides, 90 healthy controls were also recruited. Serum BDNF levels were measured by DuoSet ELISA Development System upon admission. The short form (13 items) of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Amphetamine Withdrawal Questionnaire (AWQ) were used to measure the depression and withdrawal symptoms. Patients with BDI score ≥ 8 were identified to have depression symptoms. Results Of the 131 patients, 64 (48.9%) were identified to have depression symptoms at the two-week endpoint. Patients with depression symptoms showed significantly lower BDNF levels than those with no depression symptoms. Serum BDNF levels (≤ 1251.0 pg/ml) were independently associated with the development of depression symptoms during METH withdrawal (OR = 3.50, 95% CI, 1.14–10.73, p = 0.028). Limitations BDNF levels were tested in serum but not in brain and the baseline BDI and AWQ scores between the depression and non-depression groups were not matched. Besides, the follow-up time was relatively short. Conclusions Our study demonstrated that patients with serum BDNF levels ≤ 1251.0 pg/ml had higher risk of depression symptoms during METH withdrawal.