Effect of alcohol on Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) blood levels: a systematic review and meta-analysis

So maybe a change in my alcohol consumption or I just increase my BDNF levels other ways which your competent doctor should know all about.

But just in case s/he doesn't, my writeups on it:

• BDNF (167 posts to April 2011)

 

BDNF also induces hippocampal long-term potentiation, which is important for memory formation [8]. Weinstein et al. found that higher peripheral BDNF levels protect the older adults against AD. By having BDNF levels higher by one standard deviation, the risk for AD or dementia was lowered by 33% 

Effect of alcohol on Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) blood levels: a systematic review and meta-analysis

• Arman Shafiee,
• Kyana Jafarabady,
• Mohammad Ali Rafiei,
• Maryam Beiky,
• Niloofar Seighali,
• Golshid Golpayegani,
• Mehrsa Jalali,
• Faeze Soltani Abhari,                                                                             
  
• Razman Arabzadeh Bahri,
• Omid Safari,
• Mahmood Bakhtiyari &
• Amirhesam Alirezaei 

Scientific Reports volume 13, Article number: 17554 (2023) Cite this article

• 125 Accesses

• 1 Altmetric

• Metrics details

Abstract

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is a vital protein involved in neuronal development, survival, and plasticity. Alcohol consumption has been implicated in various neurocognitive deficits and neurodegenerative disorders. However, the impact of alcohol on BDNF blood levels remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effect of alcohol consumption on BDNF blood levels. A comprehensive search of electronic databases was conducted to identify relevant studies. Eligible studies were selected based on predefined inclusion criteria. Data extraction was performed, and methodological quality was assessed using appropriate tools. A meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the overall effect size of alcohol consumption on BDNF levels. A total of 25 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis. Alcohol use and BDNF blood levels were significantly correlated, according to the meta-analysis (p = 0.008). Overall, it was discovered that drinking alcohol significantly decreased BDNF levels (SMD: − 0.39; 95% CI: − 0.68 to − 0.10; I2: 93%). There was a non-significant trend suggesting that alcohol withdrawal might increase BDNF levels, with an SMD of 0.26 (95% CI: − 0.09 to 0.62; I2: 86%; p = 0.14). Subgroup analysis based on the source of BDNF demonstrated significant differences between the subgroups (p = 0.0008). No significant publication bias was observed. This study showed that alcohol consumption is associated with a significant decrease in BDNF blood levels. The findings suggest a negative impact of alcohol on BDNF levels regardless of alcohol dosage. Further studies are needed to strengthen the evidence and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Introduction

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is a crucial protein that plays a vital role in the development, survival, and plasticity of neurons in the central nervous system¹. It is involved in various neurobiological processes, including neuronal growth, differentiation, and synaptic plasticity². BDNF is widely expressed in the brain, and its dysregulation has been implicated in the pathophysiology of numerous neurological and psychiatric disorders, such as depression, Alzheimer's disease, and substance use disorders^2,3.

Alcohol consumption is a prevalent and culturally accepted practice in numerous societies⁴. It has been extensively studied for its detrimental effects on various organ systems, including the brain⁵. Chronic and excessive alcohol consumption is associated with a range of neurocognitive deficits, neurodegeneration, and increased vulnerability to psychiatric disorders⁶.Recent research has focused on elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying alcohol's impact on brain function, with an increasing interest in its effects on BDNF⁷.

The association between alcohol consumption and BDNF levels has gained substantial attention due to its potential implications for understanding the neurobiological effects of alcohol on brain health⁸. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that alcohol exposure can modulate BDNF expression, leading to alterations in neuronal plasticity and impairments in cognitive functions^8,9. Additionally, clinical studies have provided evidence of BDNF dysregulation in individuals with alcohol use disorders, further highlighting the importance of investigating the relationship between alcohol and BDNF levels¹⁰.

However, the existing literature on the effect of alcohol on BDNF blood levels is characterized by inconsistent findings, which may be attributed to variations in study design, participant characteristics, alcohol consumption patterns, and BDNF measurement methods. Therefore, this study aims to synthesize the current literature on the effect of alcohol consumption on BDNF blood levels through a rigorous and comprehensive analysis.

More at link.