HEROIN ADDICTION IN ADOLESCENTS IS ASSOCIATED WITH COGNITIVE DECLINE AND VARIATIONS IN BDNF LEVELS

Heroin addiction among adolescents is a growing public health concern with profound implications on brain function and cognitive performance. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) plays a critical role in neurodevelopment, synaptic plasticity, and cognitive function in adolescents. This study investigates the relationship between heroin addiction, cognitive decline, and serum BDNF expression levels in adolescent subjects. Methods: A total of 84 adolescent participants were enrolled and divided into three groups: Group 1 (Control; n=28), comprising individuals with no history of addiction; Group 2 (Treated Heroin Addicts; n=28), consisting of subjects undergoing treatment; and Group 3 (Untreated Heroin Addicts; n=28), comprising active users without medical intervention. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Serum BDNF levels were analyzed through Western blotting using BDNF-specific antibodies. All experiments were conducted at the Centre for Advanced Studies in Vaccinology and Biotechnology (CASVAB), Quetta, Balochistan. Results: Group 3 exhibited significantly lower MoCA scores compared to Groups 1 and 2 (p<0.001). BDNF protein levels were markedly decreased in untreated heroin addicts (Group 3), while partial restoration of BDNF expression was observed in the treated group (Group 2). Statistically significant differences in BDNF expression were observed across the three groups (p<0.01). Conclusion: Heroin addiction in adolescents is associated with marked cognitive deficits and reduced BDNF expression. Therapeutic intervention appears to mitigate some of these effects, highlighting the potential of BDNF as a biomarker for cognitive recovery. Early detection and intervention are critical for preventing long-term neurocognitive damage in addicted adolescents.