Abstract: Objective：To investigate an interaction between the genetic polymorphisms (G196A) of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and negative life events in patients with depressive disorders. Methods: Genotype of 85 depressive disorders patients (DD group) and 158 healthy controls (control group) were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Life events were evaluated using a life events scale (LES),the results of two groups were compared. An interaction of BDNF genetic polymorphisms and negative life events was analyzed. Results：The LES scale (including total life scales, negative life scales and positive life scales ) were significant higher in DD group than in control group. The frequencies of G and A allele were respectively 70% (119/170) and 30% (51/170) in DD group, 51.3% (162/316) and 48.7% (154/316) in control group (P<0.05). The data showed a significant positive correlation between frequencies of G allele and negative life events (P<0.05, odds ratio 3.102, 95% confidence interval 1.118～8.609)，and a significant negative correlation between frequencies of A allele and negative life events (P<0.05, odds ratio 2.962, 95% confidence interval 1.038～8.451) in DD group. Conclusion: G allele of BDNF gene G196A may be a hereditary basis on higher sensitivity of negative life events in patients with depressive disorders.