Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is exactly as it states; a neurotrophic factor usually derived in the brain. More specifically, it is a protein found in the neurons of the central nervous system that helps to support the survival of existing neurons, and encourage the growth of new neurons and synapses. It is active predominantly in the hippocampus, cortex, and basal forebrain—areas vital to learning, memory, and higher thinking.
Although the vast majority of neurons in the mammalian brain are formed prenatally, parts of the adult brain retain the ability to grow new neurons from neural stem cells; a process known as neurogenesis. Neurotrophins are chemicals that help to stimulate and control neurogenesis, BDNF being one of the most active.
Mice born without the ability to make BDNF suffer developmental defects in the brain and sensory nervous system, and usually die soon after birth, suggesting that BDNF plays an important role in normal neural development. Exposure to stress and the stress hormone corticosterone has been shown to decrease the expression of BDNF in rats, and leads to an eventual atrophy of the hippocampus if exposure is persistent. Similar atrophy has been shown to take place in humans suffering from long-term depression. On the other hand, voluntary exercise, caloric restriction, intellectual stimulation, and various treatments for depression (such as antidepressants and Obsessive-compulsive disorder, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, and dementia, though it is still not known whether these levels represent a cause or a symptom.
BDNF transiently stabilizes silent NM synapses during the period of transition from polyneuronal to mononeuronal innervation of skeletal muscle fibers [6].
BDNF and CNTF cooperatively affect efficiency of embryonic xenopus neuromuscular synapses in culture [7,8].
BDNF stimulates transmitter release from neuromuscular synapses [9] and enhances the efficiency of transmission at the neuromuscular synapse [10].
BDNF belongs to the neurotrophin family of growth factors and affects the survival and function of neurons in the central nervous system, particularly in brain regions susceptible to degeneration in AD.
Increasing BDNF availability in the brain (stimulated, for example, by exercise or learning) is rapidly gaining strength as an important approach to improving cognitive function throughout life and offsetting depression and dementia.
Recombinant BDNF rescues deficits in basal synaptic transmission and hippocampal LTP in BDNF knockout mice.
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