Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026
08:14
Comprehensive Analysis of Transcription Dynamics from Brain Samples Following Behavioral Experience
Published on: August 26, 2014
Neurotrophic factors and structural plasticity in addiction
Scott J Russo1, Michelle S Mazei-Robison, Jessica L Ables
1Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, One Gustave Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA.
Neuropharmacology
|July 24, 2008
Summary
Chronic drug abuse alters brain structure and function, leading to addiction. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its signaling pathways are key regulators of this neuronal remodeling and addiction-related behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Addiction Research
Background:
- Drugs of abuse induce significant changes in neuronal structure and function within the brain's reward circuitry.
- These neuroplastic changes are implicated in the persistent behavioral alterations observed in addiction.
- The precise intracellular mechanisms governing neuronal structural plasticity in addiction remain incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in understanding the role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in neuronal plasticity.
- To explore how BDNF signaling pathways contribute to structural and behavioral changes associated with drug addiction.
- To elucidate the involvement of specific BDNF-regulated pathways (PI3K, MAPK, PLCgamma, NFkappaB) in addiction.
Main Methods:
- This review synthesizes current research findings from preclinical and clinical studies.
- It focuses on the molecular mechanisms of neurotrophic factor signaling in the context of drug addiction.
- Analysis of studies investigating the impact of drugs of abuse on BDNF expression and signaling.
Main Results:
- Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is crucial for neuronal remodeling following chronic drug exposure.
- BDNF regulates key intracellular signaling pathways, including PI3K, MAPK, PLCgamma, and NFkappaB.
- These pathways mediate cellular functions vital for neuronal survival, growth, differentiation, and structural plasticity.
Conclusions:
- BDNF and its associated signaling pathways play a critical role in the neurobiological underpinnings of drug addiction.
- Understanding these mechanisms offers potential therapeutic targets for addiction treatment.
- Further research into BDNF-mediated plasticity is essential for developing effective interventions for addiction.
Related Concept Videos
01:01Neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity reflects the brain's remarkable capacity to adapt and evolve, responding dynamically to learning, experiences, or injury by reorganizing its neural circuitry. This reorganization involves creating new neural connections and refining old ones through a series of biological processes that contribute to the brain's lifelong development and adaptability.
01:15Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
Drug dependence, abuse, and addiction are complex phenomena that can precipitate various abnormal states. Physical dependence refers to a state of pharmacological adaptation to a drug. This adaptation often results in tolerance—a reduced response to the drug after repeated administrations. When the drug use is abruptly stopped, withdrawal symptoms occur due to the body's need to readjust from the pharmacologically induced imbalance. However, tolerance and withdrawal symptoms do not necessarily...
01:15Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue
In the CNS, neurogenesis, the birth of new neurons from stem cells, is limited to the hippocampus in adults. In other regions of the brain and spinal cord, neurogenesis is almost non-existent due to inhibitory influences from neuroglia, especially oligodendrocytes, and the absence of growth-stimulating cues. The myelin produced by oligodendrocytes in the CNS inhibits neuronal regeneration. Furthermore, astrocytes proliferate rapidly after neuronal damage, forming scar tissue that physically...
01:35Long-term Potentiation
Long-term potentiation, or LTP, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTP is the process of synaptic strengthening that occurs over time between pre- and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic strengthening of LTP works in opposition to the synaptic weakening of long-term depression (LTD) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
01:25Long-term Potentiation
Long-term potentiation, or LTP, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTP is the process of synaptic strengthening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic strengthening of LTP works in opposition to the synaptic weakening of long-term depression (LTD) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
Hebbian LTP
LTP can occur when presynaptic neurons...
Hebbian LTP
LTP can occur when presynaptic neurons...
01:26Neurochemical Transmission: Sites of Drug Action
Neurochemical transmission, the conduction of electrical impulses between neurons mediated by neurotransmitters, plays a vital role in various physiological processes. Autonomic drugs exert their effects by modulating neurotransmission within the autonomic nervous system. For instance, drugs such as hemicholinium block the precursor uptake necessary for synthesizing acetylcholine, an essential autonomic neurotransmitter. Following synthesis, neurotransmitters are stored in vesicles. Metyrosine...