The significance of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in pregnancy pathology: A literature review

Gulyash A. Tanysheva, Kulzhan Berikkhanova, Г.Ж. Саркучикова, Z.K. Zhaksylykova, Galym Shegenov

2025

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DOI 10.37800/rm.2.2025.466
Data confidence 70 medium
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Abstract

Relevance: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a fundamental role in fetal brain development; during pregnancy, BDNF promotes placental implantation and development. Over the past few decades, many authors have studied the concentration of BDNF during pregnancy and the downward trend in the development of obstetric pathology, which in turn exacerbates the outcome of pregnancy and the development of postpartum depression. Due to the growing evidence that antidepressant therapy restores serum BDNF levels, the increasing association between perinatal depression and BDNF deficiency confirms its potential as a surrogate endpoint for preclinical and clinical studies. The study aimed to identify the association of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) with pregnancy pathology. Materials and Methods: The literature search was conducted on the databases PubMed and Web of Science, Up to Date 10 years deep (2014-2025) among all types of clinical trials available in the full version, by keywords and phrases such as “BDNF,” “BDNF and pregnancy,” “BDNF and birth outcomes,” and “BDNF and pregnancy complications.” Results: The significance of the BDNF factor in the development of the following obstetric complications has been revealed: intrauterine growth retardation syndrome (IUGR), gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and postpartum depression. Conclusion: A study of BDNF levels during pregnancy makes it possible to identify the risks of developing pregnancy complications and is of potential importance in finding ways to prevent and treat these complications.