title: New insights into BDNF function in depression and anxiety.
abstract: The 'neurotrophin hypothesis of depression' is based largely on correlations between stress or antidepressant treatment and down- or upregulation, respectively, of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Genetic disruption of the signaling pathways involving BDNF and its receptor, the tyrosine kinase TrkB, does not seem to cause depressive behaviors, but does hamper the effect of antidepressant drugs. Thus, BDNF may be a target of antidepressants, but not the sole mediator of depression or anxiety. Advances in BDNF cell biology, including its transcription through multiple promoters, trafficking and secretion, may provide new insights into its role in mood disorders. Moreover, as the precursor proBDNF and the mature protein mBDNF can elicit opposite effects on cellular functions, the impact of proBDNF and its cleavage on mood should be considered. Opposing influences of mBDNF and proBDNF on long-term potentiation and long-term depression might contribute to the dichotomy of BDNF actions on behaviors mediated by the brain stress and reward systems.
authors.affiliation: Mood and Anxiety Program, National Institute of Mental Health, Building 35, Room 1C1004, 35 Convent Drive, MSC 3714, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-3714, USA.
authors.forename: Keri
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Martinowich
authors.forename: Husseini
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Manji
authors.forename: Bai
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000502:physiology*; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor