Correlation between positive and negative symptoms with serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor in schizophrenia Tuti Kurnianingsih, Kiki Puspitasari, Lucky Saputra, Mohammad Ghozali, Sumartini Dewi, Veranita Pandia, Tuti Wahmurti, Ramdan Panigoro
Padjadjaran University
Abstract
Introduction
Schizophrenia affects more than 21 million people worldwide. It is characterized by positive and negative symptoms. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factors (BDNF) is hypothesized to play a role in schizophrenia. This study aimed to analyze the difference in serum BDNF levels between schizophrenia patients and healthy persons, and the correlation between positive and negative symptoms with serum BDNF levels in schizophrenia patients.
Methods:
This was a case-control study, conducted at West Java Provincial Mental Health Hospital, involving 31 schizophrenia patients and 30 healthy controls. Positive and negative symptoms were assessed using PANSS (The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale), while serum BDNF levels were measured using the ELISA
Results:
Serum BDNF levels were significantly higher in schizophrenia subjects than healthy subjects (p=0.002). There was a strong negative correlation between negative symptoms scores with serum BDNF levels (r=0,854, p<0.01), and no significant correlation between positive symptoms scores with serum BDNF levels (r=0.221, p=0.116).
Conclusion:
Low serum BDNF levels correlate with high severity of negative symptoms in schizophrenia patients.
Keywords: schizophrenia, positive and negative symptoms, serum BDNF levels
