Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) regulates multiple biological processes ranging from central nervous system development and function to neuroinflammation and myogenic differentiation and repair. While coordination of BDNF levels is central in determining the biological outcome, mechanisms involved in controlling BDNF levels are not fully understood. Here we find that both short (BDNF-S...

Long-term memory formation requires selective changes in gene expression. Here, we determined the contribution of chromatin remodeling to learning-induced changes in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (bdnf) gene expression in the adult hippocampus. Contextual fear learning induced differential regulation of exon-specific bdnf mRNAs (I, IV, VI, IX) that was associated with changes in bdnf DNA me...

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is transported anterogradely in neurons of the CNS and can be released by activity-dependent mechanisms to regulate synaptic plasticity. However, few neural networks have been identified in which the production, transport, and effects of BDNF on postsynaptic neurons can be analyzed in detail. In this study, we have identified such a network. BDNF has bee...

To define activity-dependent release of endogenous brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), we developed an in vitro model using primary sensory neurons and a modified ELISA, termed ELISA in situ. Dissociate cultures of nodose-petrosal ganglion cells from newborn rats were grown in wells precoated with anti-BDNF antibody to capture released BDNF, which was subsequently detected using conventio...

BACKGROUND Older adults have higher mortality rates after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) compared to younger adults. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling is altered in aging and is important to TBI given its role in neuronal survival/plasticity and autonomic function. Following experimental TBI, acute BDNF administration has not been efficacious. Clinically, genetic variation...

The results of several studies have contributed to the hypothesis that BDNF promotes seizure activity, particularly in adult hippocampus. To test this hypothesis, BDNF, vehicle (phosphate-buffered saline, PBS), or albumin was infused directly into the hippocampus for 2 weeks using osmotic minipumps. Rats were examined behaviorally, electrophysiologically, and anatomically. An additional group w...

Background: The induction of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in the hippocampus has shown to play a role in the beneficial effects of resveratrol (RSV) on the learning and memory. The BDNF gene has a complicated structure with eight 5’ noncoding exons (I-IXa), each of which can splice to a common coding exon (IX) to form a functional transcript. Estrogens increase levels of ...

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) regulates the survival and growth of neurons, and influences synaptic efficiency and plasticity. The human BDNF gene consists of 11 exons, and distinct BDNF transcripts are produced through the use of alternative promoters and splicing events. The majority of the BDNF transcripts can be detected not only in the brain but also in the blood cells, although...

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is involved in many aspects of the formation of functional neuronal networks. BDNF signaling regulates neuronal development not only globally, at the level of entire neurons or networks, but also at a subcellular level and with high temporal specificity; however, the spatiotemporal characteristics of intrinsic BDNF signaling are essentially unknown. Here...

There are several forms of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), the precursor of BDNF, mature BDNF, and BDNF propeptide. They exert different effects through different transmembrane receptor signaling systems. Precursor of BDNF is enzymatically cleaved, either by intracellular or by extracellular proteases, to generate mature BDNF and its propeptide (BDNF propeptide). The aim of this study...