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Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems: 2017, 19, N1 (pages: 13 - 18)

GDNF Serum Levels Are Decreased in Opioid-Maintained Patients

Groh A., Janke E., Rehme M., Schuster R., Lichtinghagen R., Frieling H., Bleich S., Hillemacher T., and Heberlein A.

Summary: Background: The neuropeptide GDNF (glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor) has been shown to correlate with psychiatric diseases like depression, anxiety and addiction. We therefore investigated GDNF serum levels, craving and other affective variables in opioid-dependent patients who received either diamorphine or levomethadone, comparing them with healthy controls. Methods: We measured serum levels of GDNF in opioid-dependent patients who received diamorphine (n=6) or levomethadone (n=6), and in an age- and gender-matched control group (n=37). Results: The GDNF serum levels in the three groups differed significantly. They were significantly higher in the diamorphine-maintained patients than in the levomethadone-maintained patients. Serum levels in both groups were significantly lower than in the healthy controls. Conclusion: GDNF levels seem to be lower in opioid-dependent patients and may act as a biomarker for substance use disorders.