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The BDNF Val66Met polymorphism impacts parahippocampal and amygdala volume in healthy humans: incremental support for a genetic risk factor for depression

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 April 2009

C. Montag ,
B. Weber ,
K. Fliessbach ,
C. Elger  and
M. Reuter
C. Montag*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, University of Bonn, Germany
B. Weber
Affiliation:
Department of Epileptology, University Hospital of Bonn, Germany Department for NeuroCognition, Life and Brain Centre, Bonn, Germany
K. Fliessbach
Affiliation:
Department of Epileptology, University Hospital of Bonn, Germany Department for NeuroCognition, Life and Brain Centre, Bonn, Germany
C. Elger
Affiliation:
Department of Epileptology, University Hospital of Bonn, Germany Department for NeuroCognition, Life and Brain Centre, Bonn, Germany
M. Reuter
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, University of Bonn, Germany
*
*Address for correspondence: Dr C. Montag, University of Bonn, Department of Psychology, Kaiser-Karl-Ring 9, D-53111 Bonn, Germany. (Email: [email protected])
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Abstract

Background

The role of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the pathogenesis of affective disorders such as depression has been controversial. Mounting evidence comes from structural imaging, that the functional BDNF Val66Met polymorphism influences the hippocampal volume with carriers of the 66Met allele (Val/Met and Met/Met group) having smaller hippocampi. Given that stress-induced atrophy of the hippocampus is associated with the pathogenesis of affective disorders, the functional BDNF Val66Met polymorphism could be an incremental risk factor.

Method

Eighty-seven healthy Caucasian participants underwent structural imaging and were genotyped for the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism. Data were analysed by means of voxel-based morphometry (VBM).

Results

Region of interest (ROI) analyses revealed an association between the 66Met allele and smaller parahippocampal volumes and a smaller right amygdala. In addition, the whole-brain analysis showed that the thalamus, fusiformus gyrus and several parts of the frontal gyrus were smaller in 66Met allele carriers.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that the impact of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism is not confined to the hippocampus but also extends to the parahippocampal gyrus and the amygdala.

Keywords

AmygdalaBDNF Val66Metdepressionhippocampusstructural imagingvoxel-based morphometry
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 39 , Issue 11 , November 2009 , pp. 1831 - 1839
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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