Modulation of motoneuron excitability by brain-derived neurotrophic factor

The influence of neurotrophins on motoneuron survival and development has been well documented in cell cultures and neonates. In the present study, the role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the maintenance of motoneuron electrical properties was investigated. In adult male rats, BDNF- or saline-saturated gelfoam was inserted between the medial and lateral heads of the gastrocnemius muscles. After 5 days survival, in vivo intracellular recordings were obtained, and motoneuron biophysical properties were measured. In BDNF-treated rats, significant decreases in mean rheobase and in total cell capacitance of medial gastrocnemius motoneurons were observed. In addition, a concommitant increase in input resistance and decrease in membrane time constant were noted in BDNF-treated rats but were not statistically significant. No significant treatment effect was observed in motoneuron conduction velocity, action potential amplitude, equalizing time constant, electrotonic length, afterhyperpolarization amplitude and duration, and membrane potential sag during current injection. The observed changes in motoneuron rheobase and total cell capacitance suggest that application of BDNF produces an increase in motoneuron excitability coincident with a reduction in size. These data are discussed with respect to the possible role of BDNF as a muscle-derived trophic factor for the regulation of motoneuron excitability.