Cited by 86Tryptophan and brain disordersTreatment of Major DepressionNerve injury and regeneration

The Role of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Comorbid Depression: Possible Linkage with Steroid Hormones, Cytokines, and Nutrition

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Numakawa, Tadahiro, Richards, Misty, Nakajima, Shingo, Adachi, Naoki, Furuta, Miyako, Odaka, Haruki, Kunugi, Hiroshi·2014·Frontiers in Psychiatry

Abstract

Increasing evidence demonstrates a connection between growth factor function (including brain-derived neurotrophic factor, BDNF), glucocorticoid levels (one of the steroid hormones), and the pathophysiology of depressive disorders. Because both BDNF and glucocorticoids regulate synaptic function in the central nervous system, their functional interaction is of major concern. Interestingly, alterations in levels of estrogen, another steroid hormone, may play a role in depressive-like behavior in postpartum females with fluctuations of BDNF-related molecules in the brain. BDNF and cytokines, which are protein regulators of inflammation, stimulate multiple intracellular signaling cascades involved in neuropsychiatric illness. Pro-inflammatory cytokines may increase vulnerability to depressive symptoms, such as the increased risk observed in patients with cancer and/or autoimmune diseases. In this review, we discuss the possible relationship between inflammation and depression, in addition to the cross-talk among cytokines, BDNF, and steroids. Further, since nutritional status has been shown to affect critical pathways involved in depression through both BDNF function and the monoamine system, we also review current evidence surrounding diet and supplementation (e.g., flavonoids) on BDNF-mediated brain functions.

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Authors
Numakawa, T., Richards, M., Nakajima, S., Adachi, N., Furuta, M., Odaka, H., & Kunugi, H.
Affiliations
  • National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (JP)
  • University of California, Los Angeles (US)
  • St. Marianna University School of Medicine (JP)
Corresponding author
Numakawa, Tadahiro
Venue
Frontiers in Psychiatry
Published
2014-09-26
Volume
5
Pages
136-136
ISSN
1664-0640 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2168921497
Cited by
86
References
144
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 2
FWCI
0.79
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Frontiers in Psychiatry (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
  • National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (24-11)
  • Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (24300139)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Nerve injury and regeneration
Keywords
brain-derived neurotrophic factor, comorbid depression, glucocorticoids, steroid hormones, estrogen, inflammatory cytokines, inflammation and depression, monoaminergic systems, nutritional status, diet, flavonoids, postpartum depression, autoimmune disease

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