Open AccessThe BDNF Val66Met Polymorphism is a Relevant, But not Determinant, Risk Factor in the Etiology of Neuropsychiatric Disorders – Current Advances in Human Studies: A Systematic Review
Author(s) -
Gilmara Gomes de Assis,
Jay R. Hoffman
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
brain plasticity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2213-6312
pISSN - 2213-6304
DOI - 10.3233/bpl-210132
Subject(s) - etiology , meta analysis , psychology , risk factor , psychiatry , genetics , medicine , clinical psychology , neuroscience , bioinformatics , biology
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is the brain’s most-produced neurotrophin during the lifespan, essentially involved in multiple mechanisms of nervous system development and function. The production/release of BDNF requires multi-stage processing that appears to be regulated at various stages in which the presence of a polymorphism “Val66Met” can exert a critical influence. Aim: To synthesize the knowledge on the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism on intracellular processing and function of BDNF. Methods: We performed a systematic review and collected all available studies on the post-translation processes of BDNF, regarding the Val66Met polymorphism. Searches were performed up to 21st March 2021. Results: Out of 129 eligible papers, 18 studies addressed or had findings relating to BDNF post-translation processes and were included in this review. Discussion: Compilation of experimental findings reveals that the Val66Met polymorphism affects BDNF function by slightly altering the processing, distribution, and regulated release of BDNF. Regarding the critical role of pro-BDNF as a pro-apoptotic factor, such alteration might represent a risk for the development of neuropsychiatric disorders.