Association Between the Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor Gene Val66Met Polymorphism and Primary Dysmenorrhea

• Main Authors: Lin-Chien Lee, 李林鍵
• Other Authors: Jen-Chuen Hsieh
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/43013874460145461267

碩士 === 國立陽明大學 === 腦科學研究所 === 102 === Primary dysmenorrhea (PDM), the most prevalent menstrual cycle (MC)-related problem in women of reproductive age, is associated with negative moods. Whether the menstrual pain and negative moods have a genetic basis remains unknown. We screened and genotyped five single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) known to be associated with pain perception/experience and/or negative moods, including the catechol-O-methyltransferase gene COMT Val158Met polymorphism (rs4680), the brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene BDNF Val66Met polymorphism (rs6265), the mu-opioid receptor gene OPRM1 (rs1799971), the serotonin transporter gene SLC6A4 (rs25531) and the serotonin receptor gene 5HTR2A (rs6313) in 90 PDMs (20-30 years old) and 91 age-matched healthy female controls (CONs). We found that there was a significantly higher frequency of the Met allele of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism in the PDM group. Furthermore, BDNF Met/Met homozygosity had a significantly stronger association with PDM compared with Val carrier status. Subsequent behavioral/hormonal assessments of sub-groups (PDMs = 71, CONs = 76) revealed that the BDNF Met/Met homozygous PDMs exhibited a higher menstrual pain score and a more anxious mood than the Val carrier PDMs during the menstrual phase. Although preliminary, our study suggests that the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism is associated with PDM in Taiwanese (Asian) people. BDNF Met/Met homozygosity may be associated with an increased risk of PDM among Taiwanese females. The BDNF Val66Met polymorphism may function as a supraspinal regulator of menstrual pain and related emotions, but may not directly cause the quality-of-life impairment observed in PDMs. Ethnicity should be taken into consideration in future PDM research.