Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor and vascular endothelial growth factor levels as biomarkers of cognitive function in acute ischemic stroke

Muhammad  Ikbal; Muhammad Akbar; Muhammad Yunus  Amran; Rusdina Bte  Ladju; Nurussyariah  Hammado; Audry Devisanty  Wuysang

doi:10.23750/abm.v96i1.16650

Authors

Muhammad Ikbal Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia
Muhammad Akbar Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1159-2593
Muhammad Yunus Amran Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5079-7490
Rusdina Bte Ladju Hasanuddin University Medical Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia; Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia; Research and Innovation Unit, Hasanuddin University Hospital, Makassar, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5393-0429
Nurussyariah Hammado Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia; Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Negeri Makassar, Makassar, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2057-7571
Audry Devisanty Wuysang Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7471-974X

Keywords:

Ischemic Stroke, cognitive function, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, biomarkers, acute ischemic stroke

Abstract

Background and aim: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) causes neuronal damage and activates repair mechanisms, involving key biomarkers Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). VEGF facilitates angiogenesis and neuroprotection but may increase vascular fragility, while BDNF supports synaptic plasticity and neurorestoration. Both biomarkers play complementary roles in cognitive recovery, with BDNF directly enhancing memory and VEGF aiding structural repair. This study explores the relationship between serum VEGF and BDNF levels and cognitive function in AIS patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 61 acute ischemic stroke patients from Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo Central Hospital in Indonesia. Blood samples were analyzed for BDNF and VEGF via ELISA, and cognitive function was assessed using MoCA-Ina. Data were processed in SPSS version 25, with correlations analyzed using Pearson’s or Spearman’s tests based on data normality. Results: The study analyzed 61 acute ischemic stroke patients, showing BDNF and VEGF levels varied significantly (13.58–379.79 ng/mL; 2.79–899.60 ng/mL). BDNF showed weak, nonsignificant positive correlations with MoCA-Ina scores (rho = 0.19–0.21), while VEGF showed no significant correlation. Age weakly correlated negatively (rho = -0.18) with cognitive scores, indicating minimal predictive value. Conclusions: BDNF and VEGF levels showed no significant correlation with cognitive changes in acute ischemic stroke, suggesting their neuroprotective effects are influenced by age, comorbidities, and inflammation, limiting their reliability as sole cognitive recovery biomarkers.

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