Session 3D: Effects of Genetic Polymorphisms in the BDNF Gene on Long Term Response to Traumatic Brain Injuries
Session Number
Session 3D: 4th Presentation
Advisor(s)
Jordan Grafman, Northwestern University
Location
Room A155
Start Date
28-4-2017 1:15 PM
End Date
28-4-2017 2:30 PM
Abstract
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are responsible for most cases of death and disability in the civilian and military populations under the age of 35. In spite of the importance of this public health problem, there is little information on long-term consequences of TBI. The Vietnam Head Injury Study (VHIS) is a long term (40 years+) follow-up study of penetrating TBI in Vietnam veterans. Besides the effects upon behavior based on the location and size of the lesion, recovery from TBI may depending on the Val66Met polymorphism of the BDNF gene, a gene associated with synap1ic neuroplasticity. BDNF polymorphisms are normally associated with intracellular trafficking, packaging and its secretion. There is some evidence that more effective recovery of executive functioning after TBI is associated with a BDNF polymorphism. Here I examine the effects of BDNF in VHIS patients on executive functioning measured at two time points in the 5th and 6th decades of life. The data demonstrated that Met carriers demonstrated more neuroplasticity, better retention of neural connections in response to the TBI. The results provide pivotal information about the importance of obtaining personalized genetic information when predicting outcome following TBI.
Session 3D: Effects of Genetic Polymorphisms in the BDNF Gene on Long Term Response to Traumatic Brain Injuries
Room A155
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are responsible for most cases of death and disability in the civilian and military populations under the age of 35. In spite of the importance of this public health problem, there is little information on long-term consequences of TBI. The Vietnam Head Injury Study (VHIS) is a long term (40 years+) follow-up study of penetrating TBI in Vietnam veterans. Besides the effects upon behavior based on the location and size of the lesion, recovery from TBI may depending on the Val66Met polymorphism of the BDNF gene, a gene associated with synap1ic neuroplasticity. BDNF polymorphisms are normally associated with intracellular trafficking, packaging and its secretion. There is some evidence that more effective recovery of executive functioning after TBI is associated with a BDNF polymorphism. Here I examine the effects of BDNF in VHIS patients on executive functioning measured at two time points in the 5th and 6th decades of life. The data demonstrated that Met carriers demonstrated more neuroplasticity, better retention of neural connections in response to the TBI. The results provide pivotal information about the importance of obtaining personalized genetic information when predicting outcome following TBI.