Association Between Serum Levels of Glial Cell Line- Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Cognitive Function in Patients with Methamphetamine Dependence

Background: Methamphetamine causes cognitive impairment. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), a survival factor of dopaminergic and motor neurons, has been studied not only for its protective role against neurodegenerative diseases but also for its role in cognitive function. This study examined the relationship between methamphetamine-induced cognitive dysfunction and serum GDNF levels.

Methods: Thirty-eight male outpatients dependent on methamphetamine completed a clinical and neuropsychological battery, the Korean version of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease, and were tested using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: Sociodemographic data, including years of methamphetamine use and abstinence period, showed no correlation with serum levels of GDNF. Additionally, among the neurocognitive tests, only the performance on the trail making test B was significantly inversely correlated with serum GDNF levels.

Conclusion: Unlike the reports on cerebrospinal fluid GDNF concentration, previous reports on the relationship between serum GDNF levels and cognitive function in neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases have demonstrated mixed results. This study is significant, as it is the first study on the relationship between serum GDNF and cognitive function in patients with methamphetamine dependence.

Cite this article as: Han C, Bae H, Hee Lee S, Kim J, Chon M. Association between serum levels of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor and cognitive function in patients with methamphetamine dependence. Psychiatry Clin Psychopharmacol. Published onlineNovember 21, 2025. doi:https://doi.org/10.5152/pcp.2025.24911.