Summary
| Direction in Low Back Pain | ↕ Inconsistent — reported as both higher and lower across studies, with no consistent direction |
|---|---|
| Category | Neurological |
| Compared against | pain-free controls |
| Associated symptoms | after an acute episode of low back pain |
| Source | Diz et al. 2017 — doi:10.1016/j.archger.2017.03.005 |
| Condition atlas | Low Back Pain Biomarker Atlas |
Other conditions where Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is reported
- Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in Gulf War Illness — ↕ inconsistent vs HGV
- BDNF in Major Depressive Disorder — ↓ reduced vs MDD patients vs healthy controls
See the cross-condition hub: Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) across conditions.
Related Neurological markers in Low Back Pain
Full list: Low Back Pain Biomarker Atlas.
Frequently asked questions
Is Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) high or low in Low Back Pain?
Mixed. Some studies report higher and others lower Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in Low Back Pain compared with pain-free controls, so no single direction is established. Source: Diz et al. 2017.
What symptoms is Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) associated with in Low Back Pain?
The cited literature associates this marker with after an acute episode of low back pain. These are population-level associations and do not mean the marker causes the symptoms.
Which test measures Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)?
The atlas record does not list a standardised clinical test code (LOINC) for Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), which usually means it was measured with research assays or study-specific protocols rather than a routine clinical panel. Check the cited source for the exact method.
Is one abnormal Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) result diagnostic of Low Back Pain?
No. No single biomarker is diagnostic of Low Back Pain. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) findings come from group comparisons, overlap considerably between patients and controls, and vary with study design, timing and comparison group. A result should be interpreted by a clinician alongside symptoms, history and other tests.
Is Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) specific to Low Back Pain?
No. The same marker is also reported in Gulf War Illness, Major Depressive Disorder in this atlas, so it reflects shared biology (for example inflammation or vascular stress) rather than a condition-specific signature.
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Last reviewed: 2026-10-08 · Page generated from low-back-pain.json · Browse: Low Back Pain atlas · Biomarker Index · All marker pages
Disclaimer: This page is an educational synthesis of published, peer-reviewed research and is not medical advice. Biomarker findings vary across studies with case definitions, comparison groups, timing and assay methods. Direction of change reflects the predominant finding in the cited source and does not establish a diagnostic threshold. Discuss any test result with a qualified clinician.