Association Between the Enriched Environment Level and Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a neuropsychiatric condition whose neurobiological characteristics include alterations in brain plasticity, modulated by Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). In animal models, environmental enrichment promotes neuroplasticity and reduces depressive-like behavi...

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Main Authors: Andrés Vega-Rosas, Mónica Flores-Ramos, Gerardo Bernabé Ramírez-Rodríguez
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Brain Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/14/11/1137
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author Andrés Vega-Rosas
Mónica Flores-Ramos
Gerardo Bernabé Ramírez-Rodríguez
author_facet Andrés Vega-Rosas
Mónica Flores-Ramos
Gerardo Bernabé Ramírez-Rodríguez
author_sort Andrés Vega-Rosas
collection DOAJ
description Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a neuropsychiatric condition whose neurobiological characteristics include alterations in brain plasticity, modulated by Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). In animal models, environmental enrichment promotes neuroplasticity and reduces depressive-like behaviors. In humans, we proposed to assess the level of Enriched Environment (EE) using a questionnaire that includes different domains of the EE (cognitive, social, and physical), which we named the EE Indicator (EEI). Objective: To determine the relationship between the level of EE and serum BDNF in participants with MDD and healthy controls. Materials: Participants with MDD without antidepressant treatment and healthy controls were recruited, and their EE level and serum BDNF concentration were determined looking for correlations between their clinical characteristics and the cognitive, social, and physical activities according to the EEI. Results: A total of 25 participants were recruited, of which 6 participants with MDD and the same number of controls were selected in a paired manner. Although no differences were found in the concentration of BDNF between the groups, positive correlations were observed between cognitive EE and BDNF (r = 0.62, <i>p</i> = 0.035), as well as negative social EE and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) (r = −0.86, <i>p</i> = 0.001). The sum between cognitive and social EE showed a positive correlation with the serum concentration of BDNF (r = 0.34, <i>p</i> = 0.0451). Conclusions: The level of EE is potentially modulating the presence and severity of MDD at a clinical level, but it can also influence at a neuroplastic level through promoting or limiting the concentration of BDNF.
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spelling doaj-art-8dcea18bcf9f46c6916e2942c98b486c2025-08-20T02:28:11ZengMDPI AGBrain Sciences2076-34252024-11-011411113710.3390/brainsci14111137Association Between the Enriched Environment Level and Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in Patients with Major Depressive DisorderAndrés Vega-Rosas0Mónica Flores-Ramos1Gerardo Bernabé Ramírez-Rodríguez2Laboratorio de Epidemiología Clínica, Subdirección de Investigaciones Clínicas, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Calzada México-Xochimilco #101, Col. San Lorenzo Huipulco, Tlalpan, Mexico City C.P. 14370, MexicoLaboratorio de Epidemiología Clínica, Subdirección de Investigaciones Clínicas, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Calzada México-Xochimilco #101, Col. San Lorenzo Huipulco, Tlalpan, Mexico City C.P. 14370, MexicoLaboratorio de Neurogénesis, Subdirección de Investigaciones Clínicas, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Calzada México-Xochimilco #101, Col. San Lorenzo Huipulco, Tlalpan, Mexico City C.P. 14370, MexicoMajor Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a neuropsychiatric condition whose neurobiological characteristics include alterations in brain plasticity, modulated by Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). In animal models, environmental enrichment promotes neuroplasticity and reduces depressive-like behaviors. In humans, we proposed to assess the level of Enriched Environment (EE) using a questionnaire that includes different domains of the EE (cognitive, social, and physical), which we named the EE Indicator (EEI). Objective: To determine the relationship between the level of EE and serum BDNF in participants with MDD and healthy controls. Materials: Participants with MDD without antidepressant treatment and healthy controls were recruited, and their EE level and serum BDNF concentration were determined looking for correlations between their clinical characteristics and the cognitive, social, and physical activities according to the EEI. Results: A total of 25 participants were recruited, of which 6 participants with MDD and the same number of controls were selected in a paired manner. Although no differences were found in the concentration of BDNF between the groups, positive correlations were observed between cognitive EE and BDNF (r = 0.62, <i>p</i> = 0.035), as well as negative social EE and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) (r = −0.86, <i>p</i> = 0.001). The sum between cognitive and social EE showed a positive correlation with the serum concentration of BDNF (r = 0.34, <i>p</i> = 0.0451). Conclusions: The level of EE is potentially modulating the presence and severity of MDD at a clinical level, but it can also influence at a neuroplastic level through promoting or limiting the concentration of BDNF.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/14/11/1137Major Depressive Disorderenvironmental enrichmentBrain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)
spellingShingle Andrés Vega-Rosas
Mónica Flores-Ramos
Gerardo Bernabé Ramírez-Rodríguez
Association Between the Enriched Environment Level and Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder
Brain Sciences
Major Depressive Disorder
environmental enrichment
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)
title Association Between the Enriched Environment Level and Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder
title_full Association Between the Enriched Environment Level and Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder
title_fullStr Association Between the Enriched Environment Level and Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder
title_full_unstemmed Association Between the Enriched Environment Level and Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder
title_short Association Between the Enriched Environment Level and Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder
title_sort association between the enriched environment level and serum brain derived neurotrophic factor bdnf in patients with major depressive disorder
topic Major Depressive Disorder
environmental enrichment
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/14/11/1137
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