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Possible involvement of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor in eating disorders
Author(s) -
Nakazato Michiko,
Hashimoto Kenji,
Shimizu Eiji,
Niitsu Tomihisa,
Iyo Masaomi
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
iubmb life
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.132
H-Index - 113
eISSN - 1521-6551
pISSN - 1521-6543
DOI - 10.1002/iub.1012
Subject(s) - tropomyosin receptor kinase b , neurotrophic factors , eating disorders , bulimia nervosa , anorexia nervosa , brain derived neurotrophic factor , medicine , endocrinology , psychology , neurotrophin , clinical psychology , receptor
Eating disorders (EDs) manifest as abnormal patterns of eating behavior and weight regulation driven by low self‐esteem due to weight preoccupation and perceptions toward body weight and shape. Two major groups of such disorders are anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN). The etiology of EDs is complex and evidence indicates that both biological/genetic and psychosocial factors are involved. Several lines of evidence indicate that brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a critical role in regulating eating behaviors and cognitive impairments in the EDs. BDNF is involved in neuronal proliferation, differentiation, and survival during development. BDNF and its tyrosine kinase receptor (TrkB) are expressed in hypothalamic nuclei associated with eating behaviors. A series of studies using BDNF knockout mice and the human BDNF gene indicate an association of BDNF and EDs with predisposition and vulnerability. In the previous studies, serum BDNF levels in subjects with EDs are reduced significantly compared with healthy controls, hence, we proposed that levels of serum BDNF would be a useful diagnostic indicator for EDs. © 2012 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 2012