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Pharmacopsychiatry 2005; 38(4): 166-170
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-871239
Original Paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Prophylactic Lithium Response and Polymorphism of the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Gene

J. K. Rybakowski1 , A. Suwalska1 , M. Skibinska2 , A. Szczepankiewicz2 , A. Leszczynska-Rodziewicz1 , A. Permoda1 , P. M. Czerski2 , J. Hauser1 , 2
  • 1Department of Adult Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
  • 2Laboratory of Psychiatric Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 7.12.2004 Revised: 28.1.2005

Accepted: 18.2.2005

Publication Date:
18 July 2005 (online)

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Introduction: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been involved in the pathogenesis of bipolar mood disorder and in the mechanism of mood-normalizing action of lithium. The aim of this study was to find a possible association between lithium prophylactic effect in bipolar patients and two polymorphisms of BDNF gene. Methods: Eighty-eight patients (35 males, 53 females) with bipolar illness were studied. Duration of lithium prophylaxis ranged between 5-27 years (mean 15 years). Three categories of prophylactic lithium response were delineated: excellent responders (ER), partial responders (PR) and non-responders (NR). All patients were genotyped for two polymorphisms of BDNF gene: Val66Met and -270C/T. Results: The Val/Met genotype of Val66Met polymorphism occurred more frequently (p = 0.037) and there was a trend for a higher incidence of Met allele (p = 0.076), in ER than in NR. A trend for C/T genotype and T allele of -270C/T polymorphism was observed to occur more frequently in ER than in NR (p = 0.057 and p = 0.065, respectively). Conclusion: The data obtained suggest that polymorphism of BDNF gene may be connected with a quality of lithium prophylaxis.

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Prof. Dr. Janusz K. Rybakowski

Department of Adult Psychiatry

University of Medical Sciences

ul.Szpitalna 27/33

60-572 Poznan

Poland

Phone: +48 61 8475 087

Fax: +48 61 8480 392

Email: rybakows@wlkp.top.pl