Title:From a Cycle to a Period: The Potential Role of BDNF as Plasticity and
Phase-Specific Biomarker in Cocaine Use Disorder
Volume: 20
Issue: 11
Author(s): Andrea Miuli, Giacomo d'Andrea, Mauro Pettorruso*, Gianluca Mancusi, Alessio Mosca, Francesco Di Carlo, Giovanni Martinotti and Massimo di Giannantonio
Affiliation:
- Department of Mental Health, ASL 2 Abruzzo Lanciano-Vasto-Chieti, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and
Clinical Sciences, “G. d'Annunzio” University of Chieti, Chieti, Italy
Keywords:
BDNF, biomarker, addiction, staging, craving, relapse, cocaine use disorder, neurotrophic factor.
Abstract: Cocaine Use Disorder (CUD) is one of the diseases with the greatest social and health
impact, due to the high cost of rehabilitation management and the high risk of dangerous behavior
and relapse. This pathology frequently leads to unsuccessful attempts to interrupt the consumption,
resulting in relapses and a vicious cycle of binge/intoxication, withdrawal/negative affect, and preoccupation/
anticipation (craving). The alternation of these phases in addiction was well illustrated
by Koob and colleagues in the so-called “addictive cycle”, which nowadays represents a landmark
in the addiction field. Recently, there has been a surge of interest in the worldwide literature for biomarkers
that might explain the different stages of addiction, and one of the most studied biomarkers
is, without a doubt, Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). In this perspective article,
we discuss the potential role of BDNF as biomarker of the CUD phases described in the “Addictive
Cycle”, speculating about the close relationship between BDNF fluctuations and the clinical course
of CUD. We also discuss BDNF’s potential role as “staging” biomarker, predicting the progression
of the disease. Finding valuable biomarkers of CUD severity and disease stage could shift clinicians'
focus away from behavioral symptomatic treatment and toward a novel brain-based approach, allowing
for the development of more effective and targeted therapeutic strategies, thus determining
major benefits for CUD patients.
