Research paperBrain-derived neurotrophic factor levels and depression during methamphetamine withdrawal

•Serum BDNF levels were lower in depression patients than in non-depression patients.•Low serum BDNF levels were associated with higher risk of depression.•BDNF may act by improving the neurotoxicity induced by METH.

BackgroundDepression symptoms is highly comorbid with methamphetamine (METH) dependence. Except for the role in the pathophysiology of depression symptoms, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is also involved in the METH dependence. The present study aims to explore whether BDNF plays a role in the development of depression symptoms during METH withdrawal.MethodsWe recruited 179 patients with METH dependence who were followed up for two weeks. Ultimately, 131 (73.2%) patients finished the follow-up. Besides, 90 healthy controls were also recruited. Serum BDNF levels were measured by DuoSet ELISA Development System upon admission. The short form (13 items) of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Amphetamine Withdrawal Questionnaire (AWQ) were used to measure the depression and withdrawal symptoms. Patients with BDI score ≥ 8 were identified to have depression symptoms.ResultsOf the 131 patients, 64 (48.9%) were identified to have depression symptoms at the two-week endpoint. Patients with depression symptoms showed significantly lower BDNF levels than those with no depression symptoms. Serum BDNF levels (≤ 1251.0 pg/ml) were independently associated with the development of depression symptoms during METH withdrawal (OR = 3.50, 95% CI, 1.14-10.73, p = 0.028).LimitationsBDNF levels were tested in serum but not in brain and the baseline BDI and AWQ scores between the depression and non-depression groups were not matched. Besides, the follow-up time was relatively short.ConclusionsOur study demonstrated that patients with serum BDNF levels ≤ 1251.0 pg/ml had higher risk of depression symptoms during METH withdrawal.