June 2022
Volume 63, Issue 7
Open Access
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   June 2022
Relationships between serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and symptoms and signs of corneal nerve function
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • Elyana Locatelli
    Surgical services, VA Miami Healthcare System, Miami, Florida, United States
    University of Miami Health System Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, Florida, United States
  • Anjalee Choudhury
    Surgical services, VA Miami Healthcare System, Miami, Florida, United States
    University of Miami Health System Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, Florida, United States
  • Kimberly Cabrera
    Surgical services, VA Miami Healthcare System, Miami, Florida, United States
  • Katherine Jensen
    Surgical services, VA Miami Healthcare System, Miami, Florida, United States
  • Nancy Klimas
    Surgical services, VA Miami Healthcare System, Miami, Florida, United States
    Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
  • Maria Abreu
    Surgical services, VA Miami Healthcare System, Miami, Florida, United States
    Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
  • Kristina Aenlle
    Surgical services, VA Miami Healthcare System, Miami, Florida, United States
    Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
  • Anat Galor
    Surgical services, VA Miami Healthcare System, Miami, Florida, United States
    University of Miami Health System Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, Florida, United States
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships   Elyana Locatelli None; Anjalee Choudhury None; Kimberly Cabrera None; Katherine Jensen None; Nancy Klimas None; Maria Abreu None; Kristina Aenlle None; Anat Galor None
  • Footnotes
    Support  Supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Office of Research and Development, Clinical Sciences R&D (CSRD) I01 CX002015 (Dr. Galor) and Biomedical Laboratory R&D (BLRD) Service I01 BX004893 (Dr. Galor), Department of Defense Gulf War Illness Research Program (GWIRP) W81XWH-20-1-0579 (Dr. Galor) and Vision Research Program (VRP) W81XWH-20-1-0820 (Dr. Galor), National Eye Institute R01EY026174 (Dr. Galor) and R61EY032468 (Dr. Galor), NIH Center Core Grant P30EY014801 (institutional) and Research to Prevent Blindness Unrestricted Grant GR004596 (institutional).
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science June 2022, Vol.63, 1526 – A0251. doi:
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    • Get Citation

      Elyana Locatelli, Anjalee Choudhury, Kimberly Cabrera, Katherine Jensen, Nancy Klimas, Maria Abreu, Kristina Aenlle, Anat Galor; Relationships between serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and symptoms and signs of corneal nerve function. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2022;63(7):1526 – A0251.

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      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

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Abstract

Purpose : To examine relationships between serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and symptoms and signs of corneal nerve function.

Methods : Prospective study of individuals seen in the Miami Veterans Affairs eye clinic. All individuals completed questionnaires regarding ocular pain symptoms and underwent a comprehensive assessment of the ocular surface, including confocal microscopy. All individuals provided a blood sample which was analyzed for BDNF using R&D Free BDNF Quantikine ELISA Kit. Our primary goal was to examine relationships between neuropathic ocular pain symptoms and confocal microscopy findings and serum BDNF levels. These relationships were examined by correlational analysis, followed by multivariable forward stepwise linear regression analysis.

Results : 35 individuals were enrolled into this prospective study, with a mean age of 54±4 (range 48 to 63 years); 97% (n=34) self-identified as male, 60% as white, and 43% as Hispanic. BDNF levels ranged from 11.6 ng/ml to 50.5 ng/ml, with a mean of 30.5 ng/ml (standard deviation 9.0). BDNF levels were positively associated with Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory-modified for the eye (NPSI-E) scores (r=0.33, p=0.05) and corneal nerve beading density (r=0.41, r=0.02). When considering demographics, ocular symptoms, signs, and nerve metrics in a forward multivariable regression model, elevated levels of BDNF were associated with higher neuropathic pain symptoms (NPSI-E, standardized β 0.64, p<0.005) and higher corneal nerve beading density (minimum value of 6 scans from both eyes, standardized β 0.69, p<0.005). Elevated levels of BDNF were also associated with lower corneal sensation (measured with a cotton swab, standardized β -0.52, p=0.001) and corneal nerve fiber area (standardized β -0.40, p=0.01). This model explained 59% of variability in systemic BDNF levels. Of note, demographics and tear film metrics were not related to BDNF levels.

Conclusions : BDNF levels are related to higher neuropathic ocular pain symptoms and beading density (a measure associated with nerve metabolic activity).

This abstract was presented at the 2022 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Denver, CO, May 1-4, 2022, and virtually.

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