Introduction: Previously published articles have suggested that BDNF  rs6265 G>A polymorphism is a potential risk factor for epilepsy. However, the results were not consistent.
Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis to explore the association between BDNF  rs6265 G>A polymorphism and epilepsy risk. Four online databases were searched, and related studies were reviewed from their inception up to June 20, 2017. ORs and corresponding 95% CIs were used to calculate the associations of each genetic model. Overall, 10 case–control publications involving 9,512 subjects were included in this meta-analysis.
Results: Significant associations were found between BDNF  rs6265 G>A polymorphism and epilepsy (A vs G: OR=0.88, 95% CI=0.83–0.94, P <0.01, I²=0%; GA vs GG: OR=0.88, 95% CI=0.79–0.97, P =0.01, I²=0%; AA vs GG: OR=0.79, 95% CI=0.70–0.90, P <0.01, I²=0%; GA+AA vs GG: OR=0.85, 95% CI=0.77–0.94, P <0.01, I²=0%; AA vs GG+GA: OR=0.85, 95% CI=0.76–0.95, P =0.01, I²=0%). Subgroup analysis also showed similar results in an Asian population.
Conclusion: Our meta-analysis indicated that BDNF  rs6265 G>A polymorphism might be involved in epilepsy susceptibility, especially in the Asian population.
Keywords: brain derived neurotrophic factor , epilepsy, seizure, polymorphism, variant, rs6265, case–control