In this study we examined the timecourse of induction of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA and protein after 1, 3, 5, 7, 14 and 28 days of exercise in the rat. To measure the expression of mRNA for individual BDNF exons we utilized a semi-quantitative RT-PCR technique, while BDNF protein was assessed using commercial ELISA kits. We demonstrated that the distance run by animals incre...

Neurotrophic factor expression in the adult mammalian CNS is largely neuronal. However, upon traumatic injury reactive astrocytes express a number of neurotrophic factors including ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and NGF. In this study, we examined whether the upregulation of neurotrophic factors in reactive astrocytes and cultured astrocytes is a consequence...

Disturbed neural development has been postulated as a crucial factor in the pathophysiology of schizophrenic psychoses. The neurobiochemical basis for such changes of cytoarchitecture and changed neural plasticity could involve an alteration in the regulation of neurotrophic factors. In order to test this hypothesis, BDNF and NT-3 levels in post-mortem brain tissue from schizophrenic patients w...

Neurotrophins are important proteins that regulate survival, development and function of neurons. They are produced by a variety of cells and exert their effects upon binding to specific tyrosine kinase receptors. The first neurotrophin to be identified was Nerve Growth Factor (NGF). From the pioneer studies performed by Rita-Levi Montalcini, awarded with the Nobel Prize, other neurotrophins ha...

In this report, we have examined the role of neuron-derived BDNF at an accessible synapse, that of preganglionic neurons onto their sympathetic neuron targets. Developing and mature sympathetic neurons synthesize BDNF, and preganglionic neurons express the full-length BDNF/TrkB receptor. When sympathetic neuron-derived BDNF is increased 2- to 4-fold in transgenic mice, preganglionic cell bodies...

Neurotrophic factors are playing vital roles in survival, growth, and function of neurons. Regulation of neurotrophic factors in the brain has been considered as one of the targets in developing drug or therapy against neuronal disorders. Flavonoids, a family of multifunctional natural compounds, are well known for their neuronal beneficial effects. Here, the effects of flavonoids on regulating...

S Refereed Dixon K.J. and Sherrard R.M. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor induces olivocerebellar plasticity in the mature cerebellum (2006) Federation of European Neurosciences Dixon K.J. and Sherrard R.M. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor induces olivocerebellar plasticity in the mature cerebellum (2006) Australian Neuroscience Society Dixon K.J. and Sherrard R.M. Brain-derived neurotrophic f...

BACKGROUND SKF83959 stimulates the phospholipase Cβ/inositol phosphate 3 pathway, resulting in the activation of Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent kinase IIα, which affects the synthesis of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a neurotrophic factor critical for the pathophysiology of depression. Previous reports showed that SKF83959 elicited antidepressant activity in the forced swim test and tail susp...