The Effects of Curcumin on Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Expression in Neurodegenerative Disorders

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is a crucial molecule implicated in plastic modifications related to learning and memory. The expression of BDNF is highly regulated, which can lead to significant variability in BDNF levels in healthy subjects. Changes in BDNF expression might be associated with neuropsychiatric diseases, particularly in structures important for memory processes, including the hippocampus and parahippocampal areas. Curcumin is a natural polyphenolic compound that has great potential for the prevention and treatment of age-related disorders by regulating and activating the expression of neural protective proteins such as BDNF. This review discusses and analyzes the available scientific literature on the effects of curcumin on BDNF production and function in both in vitro and in vivo models of disease.