BDNF gene polymorphisms are associated with Alzheimer's disease-related depression and antidepressant response.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is needed to support neuronal survival and differentiation. It also promotes synaptic remodeling and modulates the function of many other neurotransmitters. The current study examined potential association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the BDNF gene (G11757 C, C270T, G196A, G-712A) and Alzheimer's disease-related depression (AD-D). Participants included 336 patients with AD; 128 of these patients had AD-D. Response to 8-week paroxetine treatment was also assessed. The frequency of the 11757 C allele was significantly higher in AD-D than in the Alzheimer's disease without depression (AD-nD) patients (p = 0.003 after Bonferroni correction). The 196A allele occurred with significantly higher frequency in AD-D patients (p = 0.001 after Bonferroni correction versus AD-nD). Carriers of the A allele of G196A responded better to paroxetine treatment. These findings support an important role of BDNF polymorphism in AD-D.