Influence of BDNF Genotype on the Effect of Neuromodulation on Pain Signalling and Pain Perception in Humans

Trans-spinal Direct Current Stimulation (tsDCS) can alleviate pain perception in humans through plastic processes. Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) has been shown to influence a large number of physiological processes including those underpinning neural plasticity. A common polymorphism of BDNF (val66met), reduces the efficiency of plastic processes. We studied the effect of this BDNF polymorphism on the signalling and perception of thermal pain and to what degree these can be influenced by tsDCS in young healthy adults. For those carrying a less optimal form of BDNF, the pain mitigating effect of tsDCS was reduced. BDNF typing may be used to improve individualization in pain treatment using tsDCS, thereby reducing the variability regarding the effect of this technique.