Differential effect of clopidogrel and aspirin on the release of BDNF from platelets.

Anti-platelet treatment is a key therapeutic intervention in patients with cerebrovascular diseases. However, there is no information on its impact on the release of Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is stored in large amounts in human platelets and essential for neuronal protection and repair. Here, we show that a single oral dose of clopidogrel, but not aspirin, significantly reduced the release of BDNF from platelets in healthy volunteers. These data point, for the first time, to possible differential effects of anti-platelet regimens on neuronal function in patients with cerebrovascular disorders.