BDNF genetic variants are associated with onset age of familial Parkinson disease: GenePD Study

Neurology. 2005 Dec 13;65(11):1823-5. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000187075.81589.fd.

Abstract

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) stimulates neuronal growth and protects nigral dopamine neurons in animal models of Parkinson disease (PD). Therefore, BDNF is a candidate gene for PD. The authors investigated five single-nucleotide polymorphisms in 597 cases of familial PD. Homozygosity for the rare allele of the functional BDNF G196A (Val66Met) variant was associated with a 5.3-year older onset age (p = 0.0001). These findings suggest that BDNF may influence PD onset age.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age of Onset
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / genetics*
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • Family Health
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease / genetics*
  • Genetic Testing
  • Genetic Variation / genetics*
  • Haplotypes / genetics
  • Homozygote
  • Models, Statistical
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / epidemiology
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / genetics*
  • Polymorphism, Genetic / genetics*
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / genetics
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor