Brain-derived neurotrophic factor as a drug target for CNS disorders.
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) belongs to the neurotrophin family of trophic factors. BDNF is widely and abundantly expressed in the CNS and is available to some peripheral nervous system neurons that uptake the neurotrophin produced by peripheral tissues. BDNF promotes survival and differentiation of certain neuronal populations during development. In adulthood, BDNF can modulate neuronal synaptic strength and has been implicated in hippocampal mechanisms of learning and memory and spinal mechanisms for pain. Several CNS disorders are associated with a decrease in trophic support. As BDNF and its high affinity receptor are abundant throughout the whole CNS, and BDNF is a potent neuroprotective agent, this trophic factor is a good candidate for therapeutic treatment of some of CNS disorders. This review aims to correlate the features of some CNS disorders (Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, depression, epilepsy and chronic pain) to changes in BDNF expression in the brain. The cellular and molecular mechanism by which BDNF might be a therapeutic strategy are critically examined.
Novartis Institute for Medical Science, London, UK. sophie.pezet@kcl.ac.uk
Sophie
S
Pezet
Marzia
M
Malcangio
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D000818:Animals; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002642:Chick Embryo; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy; D015195:Drug Design; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy; D009443:Neuritis / Q000188:drug therapy; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D051381:Rats; D020813:Receptor, trkB / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D020813:Receptor, trkB