Association analysis between the Val66Met polymorphism in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene and treatment response to venlafaxine XR in generalized anxiety disorder.

While antidepressant drugs are used to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), patients vary greatly in their treatment response. Evidence shows genetic factors may play a role in treatment response in GAD. We examined whether the BDNF gene, which has been shown to play a role in antidepressant treatment response in major depressive disorder (MDD), also has an effect in GAD. In our study, 155 patients diagnosed with GAD received venlafaxine XR treatment as part of an 18-month relapse prevention study. Genotypes were obtained for the BDNF functional variant rs6265 (Val66Met) for the entire sample (n=155); however, only the European American (EA) population was considered (n=111) for pharmacogenetic analysis. We did not find a significant association between rs6265 and antidepressant treatment response in our GAD population. Future studies in larger populations will need to be conducted to further elucidate the pharmacogenetic role of this variant in anxiety disorders.