From a Cycle to a Period: The Potential Role of BDNF as Plasticity and Phase-Specific Biomarker in Cocaine Use Disorder

Abstract: Cocaine Use Disorder (CUD) is one of the diseases with the greatest social and health impact, due to the high cost of rehabilitation management and the high risk of dangerous behavior and relapse. This pathology frequently leads to unsuccessful attempts to interrupt the consumption, resulting in relapses and a vicious cycle of binge/intoxication, withdrawal/negative affect, and preoccupation/ anticipation (craving). The alternation of these phases in addiction was well illustrated by Koob and colleagues in the so-called “addictive cycle”, which nowadays represents a landmark in the addiction field. Recently, there has been a surge of interest in the worldwide literature for biomarkers that might explain the different stages of addiction, and one of the most studied biomarkers is, without a doubt, Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). In this perspective article, we discuss the potential role of BDNF as biomarker of the CUD phases described in the “Addictive Cycle”, speculating about the close relationship between BDNF fluctuations and the clinical course of CUD. We also discuss BDNF’s potential role as “staging” biomarker, predicting the progression of the disease. Finding valuable biomarkers of CUD severity and disease stage could shift clinicians' focus away from behavioral symptomatic treatment and toward a novel brain-based approach, allowing for the development of more effective and targeted therapeutic strategies, thus determining major benefits for CUD patients.