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BDNF Val66Met polymorphism alters sympathovagal balance in healthy subjects
Author(s) -
Yang Albert C.,
Chen TaiJui,
Tsai ShihJen,
Hong ChenJee,
Kuo ChungHsun,
Yang ChengHung,
Kao KoPei
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
american journal of medical genetics part b: neuropsychiatric genetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.393
H-Index - 126
eISSN - 1552-485X
pISSN - 1552-4841
DOI - 10.1002/ajmg.b.31069
Subject(s) - medicine , heart rate variability , endocrinology , balance (ability) , genotype , polymorphism (computer science) , brain derived neurotrophic factor , autonomic nervous system , neurotrophic factors , psychology , heart rate , biology , receptor , gene , genetics , blood pressure , physical therapy
A common polymorphism of the brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene (Val66Met) has been implicated in anxiety, which is associated with lower vagal activity. We hypothesize that the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism may have a modulatory effect on the cardiac sympathovagal balance. A total of 211 healthy Chinese‐Han adults (58 male, 153 female, aged 33.3 ± 10.3 years) were recruited with three BDNF genotypes: Val/Val (47, 22.3%), Val/Met (108, 51.2%), and Met/Met (56, 26.5%). Autonomic function was assessed via an analysis of heart rate variability. Reductions in high‐frequency power, an index for parasympathetic activity, and increases in the low‐frequency/high‐frequency ratio, an index for sympathovagal balance, were found in subjects bearing the Met/Met genotype as compared to the Val/Val group. These results suggest that an altered sympathovagal balance with relatively decreased parasympathetic activity is associated with the Met/Met genotype, suggesting a potential role for the studied BDNF polymorphism in modulating cardiac autonomic functions. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.