DETERMINANTS OF BRAIN-DERIVED NEUROTROPHIC FACTOR IN YOUNG ADULTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Objectives: To determine the effects of body mass index, waist hip ratio, level of stress, and memory scores on brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Material and methods: Forty young adults participated in a cross-sectional study at Khyber Girls Medical College. In addition to collecting demographic information, anthropometric measurements were taken, including waist-hip ratio and body mass index (BMI). We used the Digit Span Test from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-III) to assess cognitive function. We assessed stress levels and anxiety using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS). Standard methods were used to measure serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). The data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: With an R-squared value of 0.532, multivariate regression revealed about 53.2% of the variance in BDNF levels. With F = 9.9 and p = 0.001, the regression model was statistically significant. Stress had a strong negative link with BDNF (B = -58.46, p = 0.001), short term memory showed an insignificantly negative relationship with BDNF (B = -6.96, p = 0.60). Waist hip ratio displayed a significant influence (B = 2664, p = 0.05), while BMI exhibited a non-significant effect (B = -8.61, p = 0.63). Conclusion: This study highlights the critical role of stress as a significant determinant of BDNF, while the waist-hip ratio also shows a meaningful relationship. The non-significant effects of BMI and memory suggest that additional factors may mediate their influence on neurotrophic levels.