Burnout Symptoms are Associated with BDNF Hypomethylation of the Exon IV Promoter in Public Safety Personnel

Background Burnout Syndrome is recognized by the World Health Organization as a phenomenon resulting from chronic occupational stress. While the impact of this syndrome on mental health is well-documented, its molecular underpinnings remain unclear. Chronic stress is known to impair neuroplasticity, a process reliant on the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), and BDNF expression is regulated by epigenetic mechanisms. However, the epigenetic landscape of the BDNF gene in high-risk populations suffering from burnout is under-investigated. Objective This study aimed to investigate the association between burnout symptoms and DNA methylation levels at the BDNF Exon IV promoter in a population of public safety professionals. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 134 Brazilian public safety professionals. Burnout symptoms were assessed using the Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. DNA methylation levels at the BDNF Exon IV promoter were quantified via pyrosequencing, and associations with burnout symptoms were analyzed using robust linear regression, adjusting for potential confounders. Results We observed a significant inverse correlation between burnout symptoms and DNA methylation levels. Specifically, higher burnout scores were associated with BDNF hypomethylation at C p G sites 5 and 7 (p < 0.01 and p = 0.009), independent of potential confounders such as depression and anxiety. Furthermore, female officers exhibited higher burnout scores compared to their male counterparts. Conclusion These findings suggest that burnout symptoms in police officers are associated with a distinct epigenetic profile of the BDNF gene, characterized by promoter hypomethylation. This specific epigenetic pattern in public safety professionals suggests a complex biological correlation with chronic occupational stress.