Lower brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels associated with worsening fatigue in prostate cancer patients during repeated stress from radiation therapy. (16th November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Saligan, L.N.; Lukkahatai, N.; Holder, G.; Walitt, B.; Machado-Vieira, R.
• Is Part Of: World journal of biological psychiatry. Volume 17:Number 8(2016)
• Page Start: 608
• Page End: 614
• Publication Date: 2016-11-16
• Subjects: fatigue -- depression -- brain-derived neurotrophic factor -- radiation -- prostate neoplasm; Biological psychiatry -- Periodicals; Biological Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.3109/15622975.2015.1012227
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1562-2975

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives. Fatigue during cancer treatment is associated with depression. Neurotrophic factors play a major role in depression and stress and might provide insight into mechanisms of fatigue. This study investigated the association between plasma concentrations of three neurotrophic factors (BDNF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor; GDNF, glial-derived neurotrophic factor; and SNAPIN, soluble N -ethylmaleimide sensitive fusion attachment receptor-associated protein) and initial fatigue intensification during external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) in euthymic non-metastatic prostate cancer men. Methods. Fatigue, as measured by the 13-item Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Fatigue (FACT-F), and plasma neurotrophic factors were collected at baseline (prior to EBRT) and mid-EBRT. Subjects were categorized into fatigue and no fatigue groups using a > 3-point change in FACT-F scores between the two time points. Multiple linear regressions analysed the associations between fatigue and neurotrophic factors. Results. FACT-F scores of 47 subjects decreased from baseline (43.95 ± 1.3) to mid-EBRT (38.36 ± 1.5, P < 0.001), indicating worsening fatigue. SNAPIN levels were associated with fatigue scores ( r s = 0.43, P = 0.005) at baseline. A significant decrease of BDNF concentration ( P = 0.008) was found in fatigued subjects during EBRT ( n = 39). Conclusions. Baseline SNAPIN and decreasing BDNF levels may influence worsening fatigue during EBRT. Further investigations are warranted to confirm their role in the pathophysiology and therapeutics of fatigue.