Brain-derived neurotrophic factor in schizophrenia and its relation with dopamine

The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) belongs to the neurotrophins family and has a role in proliferation, differentiation of neurons but also as a neurotransmitter. This neurotrophin has received much attention during the last year in regard of the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Results of genetic studies conducted in schizophrenia support a role for BDNF in schizophrenia and in brain function associated with the disorder. The changes of BDNF observed in the brain and in the plasma of patients with schizophrenia have generated results that can be interpreted either as a hallmark of the disease or a consequence of antipsychotic drugs. Antipsychotic drugs act by blocking the dopamine transmission at the dopamine D2-like receptors. BDNF controls the expression of one of these D2-like receptors, the dopamine D3 receptor. This raises the hypothesis of a link between cortical area, via BDNF, and the dopamine neurotransmission pathway in schizophrenia and its treatment.