State of the Art of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue, “State of the Art of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor”, will cover a selection of recent research topics and current review articles in the field of neuroprotective effects of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the central nerve and peripheral nerve system. Experimental papers, up-to-date review articles, and commentaries are all welcome.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a member of the neurotrophin family of growth factors. It acts on certain neurons of the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system, helping to support the survival of existing neurons and encourage the growth and differentiation of new neurons and synapses. BDNF plays a significant role in neuroprotective effects. BDNF can promote protective pathways and inhibit damaging pathways that contribute to the brain’s neurogenic response by enhancing cell survival. This is especially evident following suppression of tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) activity. BDNF recently was found to enhance survival and neuronal differentiation of human neural precursor cells in rat models of auditory neuronal damage. BDNF from bone marrow-derived cells promoted post-injury repair of sciatic nerve in mice. Therefore, BDNF would represent an attractive treatment modality for nerve injuries in addition to peripheral neuropathic disorders, such as diabetes mellitus.

Prof. Dr. Guiting Lin
Dr. Yuanyuan Zhang
Guest Editors

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