Correlations of Four Genetic Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Objective: To investigate the correlations of four genetic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Methods: A total of 300 patients with sporadic PTSD and 150 healthy subjects (the control group) were selected according to the diagnostic criteria of PTSD (DSM-IV), and the genotypes of the BDNF SNPs G-712A, C270T, rs6265, and rs7103411 were detected by polymerase chain reaction and direct DNA sequencing to determine intergroup differences in the genotypes and allele frequencies; the p values were corrected with the permutation test.

Results: The genotypes and allele frequencies of the SNPs G-712A, rs6265, and rs7103411 of BDNF showed no significant intergroup differences (p>0.05). However, the genotype and allele frequencies of C270T showed significant differences between the PTSD group and the control group (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The SNP C270T of BDNF may be associated with PTSD. Individuals carrying the polymorphic T allele of C270T may be more likely to suffer from PTSD.