Brain-derived neurotrophic factor plasma levels are associated with mortality in critically ill patients even in the absence of brain injury

摘要

IntroductionBecause of its relevance to the functioning of the central nervous system, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of different neuropsychiatric diseases. Whether the BDNF level can be a marker of brain dysfunction and thus predict mortality in critically ill patients is not known. Thus we aimed to determine whether the plasma levels of BDNF are associated with morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients.