Brain-derived neurotrophic factor mRNA (BDNF mRNA) (BDNF mRNA)

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA is the messenger RNA transcript that encodes the BDNF protein, a key member of the neurotrophin family essential for the survival, growth, and differentiation of neurons. It plays a fundamental role in synaptic plasticity, which is the cellular basis for learning and memory, and is highly expressed in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex (PMID: 24910348). Dysregulation of BDNF mRNA levels is a hallmark of several neurological and psychiatric disorders; for instance, decreased expression is observed in the brains of patients with major depressive disorder and Alzheimer's disease (PMID: 21205054). While traditional pharmacotherapies like SSRIs and ketamine indirectly increase BDNF mRNA transcription, modern therapeutic approaches are exploring the direct targeting of BDNF mRNA or its regulatory antisense transcripts (BDNF-AS) using antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) to enhance protein production (PMID: 23933752). Targeting the mRNA allows for precise modulation of neurotrophic support, offering a potential disease-modifying strategy for neurodegeneration. However, challenges remain regarding the delivery of these large molecules across the blood-brain barrier and the risk of off-target effects.

Other names

BDNF transcriptBrain-derived neurotrophic factor messenger RNABDNF gene transcript

Modulation of mRNA transcription, stability, or translation to increase or decrease BDNF protein levels.