Research ReportBrain-derived neurotrophic factor G196A polymorphism predicts 90-day outcome of ischemic stroke in Chinese: A novel finding

- We find an association between IS occurrence and the BDNF G196A polymorphism.
- We also find associations between IS functional outcome at 90 days and BDNF G196A variants
- This is the first report in Chinese.
- Thus BDNF G196A may be used as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in IS.

Background and purposeRecovery after stroke varies considerably between individuals. An abundance of evidence suggests that genetic factors contribute to stroke recovery. The aim of this study was to determine whether or not the BDNF G196A polymorphism independently influences the occurrence, severity, and 90-day functional outcome in Chinese patients with ischemic stroke (IS).MethodsBDNF G196A genetic variants were investigated in 494 IS and 346 controls. Severity was assessed by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale at the time of admission. Three hundred and eight patients were assessed 90 days post-stroke using the Modified Rankin Scale to determine stroke outcome.ResultsWe showed that a significant association existed between the BDNF G196A AA genotype and the occurrence of IS (P=0.021), even after adjustment for covariates (P=0.028). The AA genotype of the BDNF G196A was associated with a poor outcome of recovery 3 months after stroke onset (P=0.008) was a novel finding, independent of other known predictors of poor outcome (P=0.012).ConclusionsThe BDNF G196A polymorphism was significantly associated with the occurrence and long-term outcomes of IS, thus BDNF G196A may be used as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in IS.