Brain-derived neurotrophic factor pathway (BDNF pathway)

The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) pathway refers to the network of cellular signals initiated primarily when BDNF binds to its high-affinity receptor TrkB on neuronal and glial cells. This interaction triggers several downstream signaling cascades (including MAPK, PI3K/Akt, and PLCγ), leading to neuroprotection, regulation of synaptic plasticity, neuronal survival, growth, differentiation, myelination, and neurogenesis. Dysregulation of the BDNF pathway is linked to a broad spectrum of neurological and psychiatric disorders (such as Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, depression, and schizophrenia), as well as non-neuronal conditions including certain cancers and cardiovascular diseases. While the pathway is a crucial mediator of brain health and potential therapeutic strategies often seek to modulate this pathway, the pathway as a whole is not a direct molecular target but rather an ensemble of interacting molecular targets, primarily BDNF and the TrkB receptor[1][2][3][4]

Other names

BDNF signaling pathwayBDNF-TrkB pathwayBrain-derived neurotrophic factor signalingBDNF signal transduction

TrkB receptor activation (agonism), Upregulation of BDNF expression (e.g., by antidepressants), Modulation of downstream signaling (MAPK, PI3K/Akt, PLCγ), Inhibition of apoptotic pathways via Bcl-2 family proteins and caspase-3 suppression[3]