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Regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) during sleep apnoea treatment

Department of Pneumology, University of Rostock, Germany

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr M Lommatzsch
Abteilung für Pneumologie, Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin, Universität Rostock, Ernst-Heydemann-Str 6, 18057 Rostock, Germany; marek.lommatzsch{at}med.uni-rostock.de

Background: Patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) often display persistent cognitive dysfunction despite effective treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a key mediator of memory and cognition, but its regulation in OSAS and during CPAP treatment is unknown.

Methods: Serum and plasma BDNF concentrations, BDNF secretion by peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and overnight polysomnography were evaluated in 17 men with newly diagnosed OSAS (as defined by a respiratory disturbance index of >10/hour with >70% obstructive events and corresponding daytime symptoms) and 12 healthy control men. In the patients all the parameters were monitored after 1 night and 3 months of CPAP treatment.

Results: There was no significant difference in baseline serum BDNF, plasma BDNF, or spontaneous BDNF secretion by peripheral blood mononuclear cells between untreated patients and controls. After 1 night of CPAP treatment there was a steep fall in median serum BDNF (from 18.0 ng/ml to 4.1 ng/ml) and plasma BDNF (from 58.7 pg/ml to 22.0 pg/ml) concentrations. Following 3 months of treatment BDNF concentrations did not return to baseline. In contrast, BDNF secretion was not suppressed by CPAP treatment.

Conclusions: Patients with untreated OSAS have normal serum and plasma BDNF levels. CPAP treatment is associated with a rapid decrease in serum and plasma BDNF levels which may reflect enhanced neuronal demand for BDNF in this condition.

Abbreviations: BDNF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor; CPAP, continuous positive airway pressure; ESS, Epworth Sleepiness Scale; 5-HT, 5-hydroxytryptamine; OSAS, obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome; RDI, respiratory disturbance index; TGFß₁, transforming growth factor ß₁

Keywords: obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome; brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF); continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)

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