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Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Real-time Imaging of Axonal Transport of Quantum Dot-labeled BDNF in Primary Neurons
Published on: September 15, 2014
Synaptic innervation density is regulated by neuron-derived BDNF
C G Causing1, A Gloster, R Aloyz
1Center for Neuronal Survival, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Canada.
Abstract:
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 and axons hypertrophy, and the synaptic innervation to sympathetic neurons is increased. Conversely, when BDNF synthesis is eliminated in BDNF -/- mice, preganglionic synaptic innervation to sympathetic neurons is decreased. Together these results indicate that variations in neuronal neurotrophin synthesis directly regulate neuronal circuitry by selectively modulating synaptic innervation density.
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