Polymorphism of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor and dynamics of the seizure threshold of electroconvulsive therapy.

Polymorphism of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor and dynamics of the seizure threshold of electroconvulsive therapy.
Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2016 Oct 27;
Authors: Stephani C, Shoukier M, Ahmed R, Wolff-Menzler C
Abstract
During a course of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), the level of currency necessary to induce an epileptic seizure in a patient may either remain relatively stable or-more often-may require repeated upward adjustment over time due to a constantly increasing seizure threshold. We aimed to determine whether a common polymorphism of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which constitutes an important and ubiquitously expressed neurotrophine in the brain, affects the stimulation threshold of ECTs required to induce an epileptic seizure over time. Twenty-seven adult patients who underwent at least 12 consecutive ECT sessions were analyzed for the stimulation intensities required during the course of the stimulation as well as their BDNF gene status. We could not find a relation between the Val/Met polymorphism of the BDNF and the development of the seizure threshold during the course of the ECT sessions. Mechanisms and predispositions other than the BDNF polymorphism investigated in this study are responsible for the change in seizure thresholds over the course of ECT.
PMID: 27787610 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience - October 28, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci Source Type: research