Background
Polymorphisms in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene and its receptor neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor type 2 (NTRK2) have been implicated in mood disorders. The aim of this study was to examine whether
the NTRK2 and BDNF polymorphisms impact brain white matter connections in major depressive disorder
and whether they may also have an interactive effect with environmental stress in
the form of early life adversity.
Methods
The study group comprised 45 depressed patients and 45 age- and gender-matched control
subjects. High angular resolution diffusion images were obtained and analyzed using
tract-based spatial statistics. Analysis of a single nucleotide polymorphism in the
BDNF (rs6265/Valine66Methionine) and NTRK2 (rs11140714) genes was performed.
Results
An interactive effect was found between NTRK2 and depression diagnosis maximally affecting the cingulum. Depressed patients homozygous
for the A allele of NTRK2 showed significantly reduced fractional anisotropy compared with depressed patients
with at least one copy of the G allele or control subjects with either the A/A or
G carrier genotypes in the left and right corona radiata, left uncinate fasciculus,
left inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, left cerebral peduncle, posterior thalamic
radiation, and middle cerebral peduncle. Significantly smaller gray matter volume
was seen in frontal lobe regions in patients homozygous for the A allele.
Conclusions
Polymorphisms in NTRK2 gene increase risk of architectural changes in several brain regions involved in
emotional regulation.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 21, 2012
Accepted:
April 12,
2012
Received in revised form:
April 2,
2012
Received:
February 21,
2012
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
