Roles of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor as an Essential Mediator in Neuronal Functions and Therapeutic Potential of Its Mimetics for Neuroprotection in Neurologic and Psychiatric Disorders

• DOI: 10.20944/preprints202412.2413.v1
• Publication Date: 2025-01-02T05:36:18Z
• Authors: Tadahiro Numakawa; Ryutaro Kajihara
• Keywords: Mediator

Among neurotrophins, which are composed of nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic (BDNF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), and neurotrophin-4 (NT-4/5), BDNF has been extensively studied for its physiological role in cell survival synaptic regulation the central nervous system (CNS) neurons. binds to TrkB (a tyrosine kinase) with high affinity resulting downstream intracellular signaling cascades play crucial roles determining fate, including neuronal differentiation maturation CNS It well demonstrated that downregulation/dysregulation BDNF/TrkB is implicated pathogenesis neurologic psychiatric disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) depression. Interestingly, effects mimetic compounds flavonoids, small molecules can activate TrkB-mediated signaling, investigated potential therapeutic strategies brain diseases, given p75NTR, a common neurotrophin receptor, also contributes death under variety pathological conditions neurodegeneration. The present review shows recent advances molecular mechanisms underlying plasticity, providing critical insights into impact mimetics pathophysiology diseases.