Brain-derived neurotrophic factor
- OMIM: 113505
- UniProt: P23560
The growth factor BDNF ( of closely. " Brain- derived neurotrophic factor "; German as: " From the brain -derived neurotrophic factor " ) is a protein from the group of neurotrophins and is closely related to the nerve growth factors. It is found in all vertebrates. Mutations in the human BDNF gene are a cause of the Undine 's syndrome and are associated with the WAGR syndrome and the risk for bulimia nervosa type 2
Function and occurrence
BDNF acts on various neurons of the central and peripheral nervous system. It interacts with the protection of existing neurons and synapses, and promotes the growth of new ones. In the brain, it is active in the hippocampus, cerebral cortex and the forebrain, ie areas that are basal for memory and abstract thinking. Here BDNF also plays a major role in long-term memory. BDNF is one of the most active neurotrophins and is especially important in adult neurogenesis. In animal experiments showing that mice lacking BDNF have developmental deficits in the brain and the sensorium and usually die shortly after birth. BDNF is found not only in the brain but also in a number of cell types and tissues, the retina, kidney, prostate and human saliva.
BDNF and diseases
Various studies suggest that a deficiency or excess of BDNF with depression, schizophrenia, obsessive compulsive disorder, Alzheimer 's disease, Huntington's disease, dementia, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and Rett syndrome was related. Epilepsy was associated with a change in the BDNF.