Pharmacopsychiatry 2012; 45(06): 244-249
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1306278
Original Paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

A Study of Brain and Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Protein in Wistar and Wistar-Kyoto Rat Strains after Electroconvulsive Stimulus

C. Kyeremanteng
1   Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
,
J. James
1   Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
,
J. MacKay
1   Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
,
Z. Merali
1   Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 01 October 2011
revised 17 January 2012

accepted 23 January 2012

Publication Date:
27 March 2012 (online)

Abstract

Background:

Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein has been related to depression and less consistently to its treatments in human studies. However, animal studies have failed to demonstrate a clear link between BDNF protein in serum and brain tissue.

Methods:

Serum and brain tissue levels of BDNF protein were measured with ELISA in the Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and Wistar strains at 1 and 7 days after 5 daily electroconvulsive stimulus sessions or sham treatments.

Results:

The WKY strain showed lower baseline serum BDNF protein relative to Wistar controls. After 5 electroconvulsive stimuli, BDNF protein density was significantly increased in hippocampus and cortical regions, but not in the cerebellum or in serum. A clear correlation between brain and serum BDNF was not observed in either strain or treatment group.

Discussion:

Despite lower baseline serum BDNF protein in the WKY strain, a lack of change in serum BDNF after electroconvulsive stimulus and a lack of correlation between brain and serum BDNF protein calls into question the relevance of serum BDNF as a measure of depression and treatment response.

 
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