Changes in BDNF protein receptor expression identified after relapse in patients with a first episode of schizophrenia

A study recently published in the journal Schizophrenia Bulletin has revealed that suffering a relapse after a first episode of schizophrenia can affect the signalling of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein essential for the development and maintenance of the nervous system.

Conducted with patients in clinical remission after a first episode of schizophrenia, the study found a possible key to understanding relapses. The research team observed that patients who experienced a relapse had lower levels of the active BDNF receptor, which could be related to a reduced capacity of the brain to recover.

The study analysed BDNF receptor expression in blood cells from 53 patients who had experienced an episode of schizophrenia. The results showed that in the 24 patients who had a relapse during the three-year follow-up period, the levels of the BDNF receptor decreased compared to the levels at the initial assessment. In contrast, no such changes were observed in the 29 patients who had no relapse.

‘Reduced receptor expression could indicate the impairment of key neuronal functions and compromise clinical and functional recovery after relapse’, explains Miquel Bioque, a researcher in the IDIBAPS group Schizophrenia and a member of CIBERSAM.

These findings open new paths for developing specific interventions to prevent relapse and improve the functionality of people in the early stages of schizophrenia. Furthermore, this discovery highlights the biological impact of relapse in schizophrenia and suggests that altered BDNF-TrkB signalling could be a significant marker in the progression of the disease.

Article reference: Impact of relapse in BDNF receptors expression in patients with a first episode of schizophrenia
Bioque M, Llorca-Bofí V, MacDowell KS, Amoretti S, Mezquida G, Cuesta MJ, Diaz-Caneja CM, Ibáñez A, Segarra R, González-Pinto A, Roldán A, Sáiz PA, Mané A, Lobo A, Martínez-Pinteño A, Cano-Escalera G, Berrocoso E, Bernardo M and 2EPs GROUP*. Schizophr Bull. 2025, In press. ISSN: 0586-7614. DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbaf012