Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels as a predictor for Alzheimer disease progression

Q: What is the main research question of the study?

Whether serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels can serve as a predictor for Alzheimer disease progression.

Q: How were participants categorized for progression analysis?

AD patients were divided into fast decliners (MMSE decline ≥ 3 per year) and slow decliners (MMSE decline < 3 per year) based on differences in MMSE scores.

Q: What did the study find about serum BDNF levels and cognitive decline?

Higher serum BDNF levels were associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline in the AD group, and serum BDNF positively correlated with multiple neuropsychological test results.

Sep 29, 2026

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Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is linked to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathophysiology, and reduced peripheral BDNF is associated with higher risk of developing AD. This longitudinal observational study tests whether serum BDNF levels can predict AD progression. Cognition-normal (N=98) and AD participants (N=442) were followed with neuropsychological assessments, APOE genotyping, and MMSE-based decline categorization. Higher serum BDNF related to slower cognitive decline and correlated with multiple test scores, supporting BDNF as a protective factor.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

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Pages6

Reading Time15 min

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Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

J Chin MedAssoc Original article Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels asa predictor for Alzheimer disease progression Meng-Ju Tsaia,b, Yung-Shuan Lina–d, Chun-Yu Chena,b,d, Wei-Ju Leeb,d,e,f,g, Jong-Ling Fuha,b,d,* aDivision of General Neurology, Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC; bSchool of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC; cInstitute of Brain Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC; dBrain Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC; eNeurological Institute, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC; fDementia Center, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC; gDepartment of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC Abstract Background: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and decreased peripheral levels of this protein are associated with an increased risk of developing the disease. This study focuses on whether serum BDNF levels could be used as a predictor of AD progression. Methods: In this longitudinal observational study, we recruited cognition normal participants (N = 98) and AD (N = 442) from the Clinic at the Taipei Veterans General Hospital. We conducted a mini-mental status exam, a 12-item memory test, a categorical verbal fluency test, and a modified 15-item Boston naming test. A Serum BDNF level and apolipoprotein E (APOE) allele status were measured. The AD patients were followed prospectively. Based on the difference of MMSE scores, these patients were divided into fast decliners (decline ≥ 3/y) and slow decliners (MMSE decline < 3/y) . Logistic regression was conducted to examine the impact of serum BDNF levels and other factor on the likelihood of AD patients being slow decliners. Pearson’s correlation was used to estimate the relationship between serum BDNF levels and the score of neuropsychological tests. Results: In a logistic regression model containing serum BDNF levels, age, sex, APOE4 carrier status, education levels, and baseline MMSE score, higher serum BDNF levels were associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline in the AD group. Serum BDNF levels positively correlated with the results of multiple neuropsychological tests. Conclusion: BDNF is a protective factor against AD progression and likely plays a role in establishing a link between AD pathology and clinical manifestations. Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; Brain-derived neurotrophic factor; Cognitive decline; Disease progression; Predictor 1. INTRODUCTION Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is now recognized as a continuum that includes cognitively normal (CN), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia.1 In clinical practice, such as physicianpatient communication or advance care planning, and in trial design, such as stratification of patients or setting of endpoints,2 understanding the trajectory of the disease course is important. An ideal biomarker could be beneficial for serving this purpose. Several conditions should be met for this biomarker: noninvasive, easily obtainable, reliable, cheap, well-validated, and correlated with AD pathology.3 As a blood-based sample with *Address correspondence. Dr Jong-Ling Fuh, Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 112, Taiwan, ROC. [E-mail address: jlfuh@vghtpe.gov.tw](E-mail address: jlfuh@vghtpe.gov.tw) (J.-L. Fuh). Conflicts of interest: Dr. Jong-Ling Fuh, an editorial board member at Journal of the Chinese Medical Association, had no role in the peer review process of or decision to publish this article. The other authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest related to the subject matter or materials discussed in this article. Journal of

FAQs

What is the main research question of the study?

Whether serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels can serve as a predictor for Alzheimer disease progression.

How were participants categorized for progression analysis?

AD patients were divided into fast decliners (MMSE decline ≥ 3 per year) and slow decliners (MMSE decline < 3 per year) based on differences in MMSE scores.

What did the study find about serum BDNF levels and cognitive decline?

Higher serum BDNF levels were associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline in the AD group, and serum BDNF positively correlated with multiple neuropsychological test results.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by Aurelia