A-5 Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Val66Met and Neuropsychological Functioning Following Early Childhood Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract Objective The present study examined the differential effect of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met polymorphism on neuropsychological functioning in children with traumatic brain injury (TBI) relative to orthopedic (OI). Method Participants were drawn from a prospective, longitudinal who sustained TBI (n = 69) or OI 72) between 3 and 7 years age. Children completed battery measures targeting attention, memory, executive functions at four time points spanning immediate post-acute period 18 months post-injury. also comparable age-appropriate approximately Parents rated children’s all points. Results Longitudinal mixed models revealed significant allele status x group interaction for verbal fluency (p 0.007) non-significant trend parent-rated dysexecutive behaviors 0.069), cross-sectional post-injury fluid reasoning skills 0.074). Post hoc analyses suggested consistent pattern poorer Met carriers Val/Val homozygotes group; contrast, opposite was observed group. Conclusions results suggest BDNF fluency, behaviors, early OI, that allele—associated reduced activity-dependent secretion BDNF—confers risk TBI.