Background: Bipolar disorders (BD) have been accompanied with disturbances in neuroplasticity. Brain-de‌rived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays important role in neuroplasticity. It plays a vital role in the neurobiology of such disorders.
Objectives: This study aimed to check BDNF serum levels in euthymic BD type I patients and correlate them with the clinical manifestations.
Methods: Forty-eight Egyptian individuals were included in this study. They were arranged in three groups: The first one ‘G-A' included twelve patients diagnosed with bipolar I disorder in manic episode; while the second ‘G-B' consisted of twelve patients diagnosed with bipolar I disorder in full remission, and the third group ‘G-C' consisted of 24 healthy persons as control subjects. The cases were diagnosed according to DSM-5 and psychometric analysis. The BDNF levels were assessed using the technique of quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay.
Results: There was no statistical significant difference between the studied groups as regard demographic characteristics. Serum BDNF levels were lower in bipolar I patients in manic episode compared with those in euthymic state and also control subjects.
Conclusion: patients with manic episode of bipolar I disorder have lower serum BDNF levels compared with those with euthymic state and control group.