Peripheral BDNF produces antidepressant-like effects in cellular and behavioral models

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Molecular Psychiatry
• Behavioral Neuroscience

Background:

• Serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are decreased in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients and normalize with antidepressant treatment.
• The functional significance of altered serum BDNF levels and their impact on brain activity and behavior remain largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the functional role of peripheral BDNF by examining its effects on depression- and anxiety-like behaviors.
• To determine if peripheral BDNF administration influences adult hippocampal neurogenesis and key molecular signaling pathways in the brain.

Main Methods:

• Administered BDNF peripherally to adult mice and assessed depression- and anxiety-like behaviors using established tests (FST, CUS/anhedonia, NIH, EPM).
• Quantified adult hippocampal neurogenesis and measured hippocampal and striatal expression of BDNF, ERK, and CREB.

Main Results:

• Peripheral BDNF administration significantly reduced depression- and anxiety-like behaviors across multiple tests.
• Chronic peripheral BDNF increased adult hippocampal neurogenesis.
• Elevated BDNF levels, pCREB, and pERK were observed in the hippocampus following peripheral BDNF treatment.

Conclusions:

• Peripheral BDNF has functional effects on behavior, neurogenesis, and molecular signaling pathways in the brain.
• These findings support the role of serum BDNF not only as a biomarker for MDD but also as a potential therapeutic target.