BDNF levels were highest when cannabis use disorder and schizophrenia co-occurred compared to either condition alone
In a small study of 80 male subjects, those with both cannabis use disorder and schizophrenia had significantly higher serum BDNF levels than those with either condition alone or tobacco-only controls.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
BDNF levels differed significantly across four groups of 20 subjects each. The dual-diagnosis group (CUD + schizophrenia) had higher BDNF than the CUD-only, schizophrenia-only, or tobacco-only groups. This suggests a synergistic effect of the two conditions on neurotrophin expression.
Key Numbers
80 male subjects in 4 groups of 20. BDNF significantly different across groups. CUD + schizophrenia group highest. Tobacco-only served as the reference group.
How They Did This
Cross-sectional observational study comparing serum BDNF in four groups of 20 male subjects (aged 18-45): tobacco use disorder only (control), schizophrenia alone, CUD alone, and CUD + schizophrenia.
Why This Research Matters
BDNF plays a key role in brain plasticity and has been explored as a biomarker for psychiatric conditions. The finding that co-occurring CUD and schizophrenia elevates BDNF beyond either condition alone raises questions about what this means for brain function and treatment response.
The Bigger Picture
Elevated BDNF in dual-diagnosis patients could reflect compensatory neuroplasticity, altered cannabinoid-dopamine interactions, or a distinct neurobiological state that may require different treatment approaches than either condition alone.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Very small sample size (20 per group). Male subjects only. Cross-sectional design. Serum BDNF may not reflect brain BDNF levels. Multiple potential confounders including medication effects, substance use severity, and illness duration. Tobacco-only control group is imperfect.
Questions This Raises
- ?Is elevated BDNF in dual diagnosis patients protective, compensatory, or pathological?
- ?Could BDNF serve as a biomarker to guide treatment in this population?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Dual CUD + schizophrenia showed highest BDNF levels
- Evidence Grade:
- Small exploratory study with appropriate group comparisons but very limited sample size and multiple potential confounders.
- Study Age:
- 2024 study
- Original Title:
- Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor level and its relation with cannabis use disorder and schizophrenia: A cross-sectional exploratory study in patients at a tertiary care hospital.
- Published In:
- Indian journal of pharmacology, 56(2), 91-96 (2024)
- Authors:
- George, Aishwariya Brigit, Gupta, Abhishek, Jain, Raka(2), Sood, Mamta, Sarkar, Siddharth
- Database ID:
- RTHC-05330
Evidence Hierarchy
Watches what happens naturally without intervening.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
What is BDNF?
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is a protein that supports the growth, survival, and plasticity of brain cells. It is involved in learning, memory, and mood regulation, and its levels are altered in many psychiatric conditions.
Is higher BDNF good or bad?
Context matters. While BDNF generally supports brain health, abnormally elevated levels in specific conditions could indicate a compensatory response to ongoing brain stress or altered signaling that is not necessarily beneficial.
Read More on RethinkTHC
- THC-amygdala-anxiety-brain
- anandamide-weed-withdrawal
- cannabinoid-receptors-recovery-time
- cannabis-developing-brain-teenagers
- cant-enjoy-anything-without-weed
- dopamine-recovery-after-quitting-weed
- endocannabinoid-system-explained-simply
- endocannabinoid-system-withdrawal
- nervous-system-weed-withdrawal-fight-flight
- teen-weed-use-under-18-effects-brain
- thc-brain-withdrawal
- thc-prefrontal-cortex-brain-effects
- weed-cortisol-stress-hormones
- weed-memory-loss-recovery
- weed-motivation-amotivational-syndrome
- weed-nervous-system-effects
- weed-reward-system-brain
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-05330APA
George, Aishwariya Brigit; Gupta, Abhishek; Jain, Raka; Sood, Mamta; Sarkar, Siddharth. (2024). Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor level and its relation with cannabis use disorder and schizophrenia: A cross-sectional exploratory study in patients at a tertiary care hospital.. Indian journal of pharmacology, 56(2), 91-96. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijp.ijp_771_22
MLA
George, Aishwariya Brigit, et al. "Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor level and its relation with cannabis use disorder and schizophrenia: A cross-sectional exploratory study in patients at a tertiary care hospital.." Indian journal of pharmacology, 2024. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijp.ijp_771_22
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor level and its relati..." RTHC-05330. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/george-2024-serum-brainderived-neurotrophic-factor
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.