Protective role of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) patients
Open Access
- 17 January 2020
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Public Library of Science (PLoS) in PLOS ONE
- Vol. 15 (1), e0227834
- https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0227834
Abstract
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a common disorder characterized by repeated episodes of upper airways collapse during the sleep. The following intermittent hypoxia triggers a state of chronic inflammation, which also interests the nervous system leading to neuronal damage and increased risk of cognitive impairment. Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a growth factor often associated with neuroplasticity and neuroprotection whose levels increase in several condition associated with neuronal damage. However, whether patients affected by OSAS have altered BDNF levels and whether such alteration may be reflective of their cognitive impairment is still controversial. Here we show that, when compared to healthy control volunteers, OSAS patients have increased serum levels of BDNF. Moreover, OSAS patients with the higher levels of BDNF also have reduced neurocognitive impairment as measured by The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) questionnaire. Treatment with standard non-invasive mechanical ventilation (CPAP) also was able to ameliorate the level of cognitive impairment. Altogether our results indicate that BDNF levels represent a neuroprotective response to intermittent hypoxia in OSAS patients.This publication has 29 references indexed in Scilit:
- Acute intermittent hypoxia-induced expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor is disrupted in the brainstem of methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 null miceNeuroscience, 2012
- Chronic intermittent hypoxia-induced deficits in synaptic plasticity and neurocognitive functions: a role for brain-derived neurotrophic factorActa Pharmacologica Sinica, 2012
- Oxidative stress, inflammation, and cancer: How are they linked?Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 2010
- Intermittent hypoxia during sleep induces reactive gliosis and limited neuronal death in rats: implications for sleep apneaJournal of Neurochemistry, 2010
- Apnea promotes glutamate-induced excitotoxicity in hippocampal neuronsBrain Research, 2007
- Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and inflammationJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 2005
- Regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) during sleep apnoea treatmentThorax, 2005
- Nerve Growth Factor and Transforming Growth Factor-β Serum Levels in Acute Stroke PatientsCerebrovascular Diseases, 2001
- Physiology of the NeurotrophinsAnnual Review of Neuroscience, 1996
- The changing scene of neurotrophic factorsTrends in Neurosciences, 1991