Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2024 Jun 6;14(6):583.
doi: 10.3390/brainsci14060583.

Alterations in Neurotrophins in Alcohol-Addicted Patients during Alcohol Withdrawal

Magda Malewska-Kasprzak  1 , Maria Skibińska  2 , Monika Dmitrzak-Węglarz  2
Affiliations
Review

Alterations in Neurotrophins in Alcohol-Addicted Patients during Alcohol Withdrawal

Magda Malewska-Kasprzak et al. Brain Sci. .

Abstract

Background: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is related to mental and somatic disorders that result in alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS), with 30% of AWS cases leading to life-threatening delirium tremens (DTs). Currently, studies do not support using any one biomarker in DTs. Neurotrophins affect neuromodulation, playing a role in the pathogenesis of AUD, AWS, and DTs.

Methods: This review aims to summarize experimental and clinical data related to neurotrophins and S100B in neuroplasticity, as well as neurodegeneration in the context of AUD, AWS, and DTs. This work used publications that were selected based on the protocol consistent with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement.

Results: The BDNF level could be a good candidate biomarker for relapse susceptibility, as it is significantly reduced during consumption and gradually increases during abstinence. GDNF influences AUD through its integral role in the function of dopaminergic neurons and ablates the return to alcohol-drinking behavior. NGF protects neurons from ethanol-induced cytotoxic damage and affects recovery from cognitive deficits after brain damage. The NT-3 level is decreased after alcohol exposure and is involved in compensatory mechanisms for cognitive decline in AUD. NT-4 affects oxidative stress, which is associated with chronic alcohol consumption. S100B is used as a biomarker of brain damage, with elevated levels in serum in AUD, and can protect 5-HT neurons from the damage caused by alcohol.

Conclusions: BDNF, GDNF, NT-3, NT-4, NGF, and S100B may be valuable markers for withdrawal syndrome. In particular, the most relevant is their association with the development of delirium complications. However, there are few data concerning some neurotrophins in AWS and DTs, suggesting the need for further research.

Keywords: alcohol use disorder; alcohol withdrawal syndrome; delirium tremens; neurotrophic factors.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Publication selection process.* Record excluded using automated tools built-in database and bibliography manager. ** Record excluded by a researcher.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Biological effects of neurotrophins. NGF—nerve growth factor; BDNF—brain-derived neurotrophic factor; NT-3 and 4—neurotrophin-3 and -4; P75—neurotrophin receptor p75; TrkA, B, and C—tyrosine kinase receptor type A, B, and C.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

References

    1. Wolf C., Curry A., Nacht J., Simpson S.A. Management of Alcohol Withdrawal in the Emergency Department: Current Perspectives. Open Access Emerg. Med. OAEM. 2020;12:53–65. doi: 10.2147/OAEM.S235288. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Lieberman R., Jensen K.P., Clinton K., Levine E.S., Kranzler H.R., Covault J. Molecular Correlates of Topiramate and GRIK1 Rs2832407 Genotype in Pluripotent Stem Cell–Derived Neural Cultures. Alcohol. Clin. Exp. Res. 2020;44:1561–1570. doi: 10.1111/acer.14399. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Crews F.T., Boettiger C.A. Impulsivity, Frontal Lobes and Risk for Addiction. Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav. 2009;93:237–247. doi: 10.1016/j.pbb.2009.04.018. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Zgliczyński W. Alkohol w Polsce (Alcohol in Poland) INFOS. 2016;11:1–4.
    1. Salize H.J., Dillmann-Lange C., Stern G., Kentner-Figura B., Stamm K., Rössler W., Henn F. Alcoholism and Somatic Comorbidity among Homeless People in Mannheim, Germany. Addict. Abingdon Engl. 2002;97:1593–1600. doi: 10.1046/j.1360-0443.2002.00235.x. - DOI - PubMed

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.