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Brain-derived neurotrophic factor: a dynamic gatekeeper of neural plasticity.
Abstract
Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a member of the neurotrophin family of structurally related proteins that promote neuronal differentiation and survival during development, is a potent modulator of synaptic plasticity. Changes in BDNF expression, release and neuromodulatory activity, mediated by both epigenetic and post-translational mechanisms, have been associated with many pathological conditions and developmental experiences, such as maternal deprivation and environmental enrichment. Much effort has been devoted to studying plasticity in the hippocampus, a structure traditionally associated with learning and memory, yet there is increasing empirical support for the contribution of another structure--the amygdala--to BDNF-induced changes. Because the amygdala is a critical site for emotional memory formation, and many emotional and neurodevelopmental pathologies have been linked to amygdala-based abnormalities, considerable efforts have been devoted to the characterization of its circuitry. Here we review the role of BDNF as a biochemical integrator of convergent cellular signals, and as a central driver of neural plasticity. We conclude by emphasizing the importance of characterizing BDNF signaling cascades in behaviorally-relevant networks, to identify potential drug targets for novel therapeutic interventions.
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“Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a centrally produced neurotrophin of particular interest due to its high concentration within the hippocampus and its integral role in supporting neuronal survival and growth, and synaptic plasticity (Cotman et al., 2007; Cowansage et al., 2010).”
From Aerobic Exercise as a Tool to Improve Hippocampal Plasticity and Function in Humans: Practical Implications for Mental Health Treatment (2016) · cites this paper as Cowansage et al., 2010
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Tirani, S. A., Lotfi, K., Shahdadian, F., Hajhashemy, Z., Rouhani, P., & Saneei, P. (2024) · Current Developments in Nutrition · doi:10.1016/j.cdnut.2024.102103 · Cited by 6
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“treatment response in various studies.(10,11) BDNF is synthesized from its precursor pro-BDNF which has been shown to exert opposing functions such as promotion of neuronal death.”
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“The majority of BDNF’s biological functions are carried out by activating and binding tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) [16].”
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“Among the neurotrophic factors, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a survival factor and regulator of neurogenesis, migration, dendritic growth, and synaptic plasticity, has been the most extensively studied (Groves 2007; Castren and Rantamaki 2010; Cowansage et al. 2010).”
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“Ген BDNF кодирует нейротрофический фактор головного мозга (BDNF), который, модулируя нейропластичность и нейромедиаторные системы, играет важную роль в дифференцировке клеток, долговременной потенциации, синаптической пластичности, обучении и памяти [63, 64].”
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“Furthermore it plays a crucial role in opioid-induced plasticity (31, 32).”
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“Cowansage et al. (2010) also discovered that the gene and protein expression levels of BDNF are decreased in hippocampus of mice exposed to SD (Li et al., 2019).”
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Metadata
- Authors
- Cowansage, K., LeDoux, J., & Monfils, M.-H.
- Affiliations
- New York University (US)
- Venue
- Current Molecular Pharmacology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2010-01-01
- Volume
- 3
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 12-29
- ISSN
- 1874-4672 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2158714604
- Cited by
- 372
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 24 · 2020: 22 · 2019: 27 · 2018: 26 · 2017: 30 · 2016: 27 · 2015: 35 · 2014: 23 · 2013: 36 · 2012: 38
- FWCI
- 12.65
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Current Molecular Pharmacology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Nerve injury and regeneration
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Developmental Neuroscience › Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Keywords
- brain-derived neurotrophic factor, neuroplasticity, synaptic plasticity, neurotrophins, amygdala, hippocampus, emotional memory, maternal deprivation, environmental enrichment, epigenetic regulation, post-translational regulation, therapeutic target
- MeSH terms
- RE1-Silencing Transcription Factor, Hippocampus, Humans, Learning, Memory, Neuronal Plasticity, Repressor Proteins, Signal Transduction, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Epigenesis, Genetic, Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2
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