Brain-derived neurotrophic factor
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophic factor that supports the survival and function of neurons and serum BDNF was assessed (K1516WK, U-PLEX, Meso Scale Diagnostics, LLC, range: 0.72–2000 pg/mL, samples diluted 1:4, samples were run in duplicate, four samples were above the highest detection limit of the assay (2000 pg/mL) and were set to the assay maximum of 2000 pg/mL for analysis)