What is Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)?

Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor is a protein derived from Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor gene. It belongs to the neurotrophin growth factors family and is found in brain and its peripheral regions. Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor helps and supports the survival of neurons and promotes growth and differentiation in newly formed neurons. It is active in various areas of brain including the basal forebrain, cortex and hippocampus along with expression also in saliva, motor neurons, prostrate, retina and kidneys.

Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor is widely involved in synaptic plasticity and has a huge role in learning and memory activities. Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor also plays a momentous role in the process of neurogenesis. Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor acts by binding to the receptors on cell surface. It promotes the pathways which protect the neurons and inhibits the pathways that damage neurons in the NSCs and NPCs which contribute towards the neurogenic response in the brain. It plays a crucial role in transmission of synapsis by affecting the GABAergic signalling and Synaptogenesis. It is shown in vitro that BDNF boosts the differentiation and survival of various neuron classes including dopaminergic neurons, hippocampal neurons, retinal ganglial cells and placode-derived sensory neurons.

Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor and its link to various diseases

Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor is linked with various diseases. Diseases like Alzheimer’s, Dementia, schizophrenia, depression, anorexia nervosa, Epilepsy, Huntington’s disease and obsessive compulsive disorder have been associated with increased or decreased expression of  Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor. Increased expression of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor in the hippocampus have been associated with epilepsy, whereas degenerative diseases indicate the insufficient supply of neurotrophic factors which include Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor. Reduced levels of BDNF in hippocampus has been shown in disease specimens associated with Alzheimer’s. Age associated changes are also linked to BDNF and pathways mediated by BDNF.