No support for a role for BDNF gene polymorphisms rs11030101 and rs61888800 in major depressive disorder or antidepressant response in patients of Finnish origin

Abstract

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is suggested to play a role in the aetiology of major depression and in the antidepressant response in patients with major depression. Several BDNF gene polymorphisms have been investigated in the above-mentioned context. The aim of the present study was to examine the role of two BDNF gene polymorphisms (rs11030101 and rs61888800) in relation to the response to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor medication in 106 patients of Finnish origin suffering from major depression. The secondary objective was to evaluate the association of these two BDNF polymorphisms in major depression, as we also had a control population of 386 healthy individuals. We did not find any significant differences in the distribution of these two BDNF gene polymorphisms in our patient population in relation to remission or response to treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Also, there were no significant differences between the patients and the controls. © 2013 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.