Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)
Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a secreted neurotrophin encoded by the BDNF gene and is widely recognized as a key regulator of neuronal survival, differentiation, synaptic plasticity, and activity-dependent remodeling in the central nervous system.
Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a secreted neurotrophin encoded by the BDNF gene and is widely recognized as a key regulator of neuronal survival, differentiation, synaptic plasticity, and activity-dependent remodeling in the central nervous system. It signals primarily through the tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB) pathway, influencing downstream programs involved in learning, memory, neurite outgrowth, and resilience to injury. Because of these functions, BDNF is frequently discussed in the context of cognitive function, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and neurodegenerative disease.
In biomedical research, BDNF is often treated as both a mechanistic marker and a therapeutic target. Altered BDNF expression or signaling has been associated with conditions such as Alzheimer’s pathology, related dementia, diabetes-associated brain dysfunction, mild cognitive impairment, Huntington’s disease-like phenotypes, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ischemic brain injury, and traumatic brain injury. Experimental studies commonly examine whether interventions restore BDNF levels, enhance BDNF/TrkB signaling, or rebalance proBDNF/mBDNF processing as part of broader neuroprotective effects.
Where the papers sit
9 papers from the last 6 months study Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) directly · updated from PubMed 12 Oct 2026
Study type 0 clinical trials · 1 observational · 1 human data · 7 preclinical
Themes one subject
Those 9 are all about one subject.
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Neuroprotection and Brain Health
BDNF-linked protection is being explored across stroke, neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, cognitive impairment and age-related disease. Approaches include exercise, vorinostat, dexmedetomidine, 7,8-dihydroxyflavone, magnetic stimulation and nose-to-brain mRNA delivery. Recurring mechanisms include TrkB signaling, TLR4/NF-κB activity, oxidative and DNA damage, apoptosis, and altered inflammatory or neurotrophic profiles. Findings remain largely preclinical or associative, with sex differences and BDNF insufficiency in ALS highlighting unresolved biological variation.
Papers
The 9 papers from the last 6 months that study Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) directly, newest first, by theme and by study type. Study types come from PubMed publication types and MeSH headings.
By theme
Neuroprotection and Brain Health (9)
- Vorinostat Rescues Cognitive Deficits in a Neuroinflammatory Mouse Model: A Study of Sex Differences and the Underlying TLR4/NF-κB Mechanism. Neurochemical research · 6 Jul 2026 PMID 42406171
- A 12-week Exercise Intervention Among Older Adults With Chronic Coronary Syndrome: Changes and Associations of Movement Behaviors and Cardiovascular Risk Factors. European journal of sport science · 20 Jun 2026 PMID 42323275
- Nose-to-Brain Delivery of mRNA-Loaded Lipid Nanoparticles Bypasses the Blood-Brain Barrier for Effective Brain Disease Therapy. ACS nano · 20 May 2026 PMID 42157518
- Target delivery of brain-derived neurotrophic factor using magnetic stimulation in subacute stroke. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie · 15 May 2026 PMID 42140057
- Inflammatory, oxidative, and neurotrophic profiles in monozygotic twins discordant for pain-related TMD. Molecular biology reports · 14 May 2026 PMID 42132960
- The TRKB Agonist 7,8-dihydroxyflavone Alleviates DNA Damage and Apoptosis in a Neuronal Cell Model of Friedreich's Ataxia. Molecular neurobiology · 22 Apr 2026 PMID 42018061
- Mechanisms of dexmedetomidine-induced cerebral protection following ischemic brain injury via the brain-derived neurotrophic factor-tyrosine kinase receptor B pathway. Neuroreport · 22 Apr 2026 PMID 42015734
- BDNF insufficiency exacerbates ALS progression. Cell reports. Medicine · 21 Apr 2026 PMID 42013845
- Yiqi Yangxin Anshen Oral liquid ameliorates anxiety-like behaviors and learning-memory impairment in sleep deprivation rats via maintaining neurotransmitters homeostasis and regulation of cAMP/CREB signaling pathway. Journal of ethnopharmacology · 17 Apr 2026 PMID 41997438
By study type
Observational studies and case reports (1)
- A 12-week Exercise Intervention Among Older Adults With Chronic Coronary Syndrome: Changes and Associations of Movement Behaviors and Cardiovascular Risk Factors. European journal of sport science · 20 Jun 2026 PMID 42323275
Human data, design not indexed (1)
- Inflammatory, oxidative, and neurotrophic profiles in monozygotic twins discordant for pain-related TMD. Molecular biology reports · 14 May 2026 PMID 42132960
Preclinical: animal, cell and lab studies (7)
- Vorinostat Rescues Cognitive Deficits in a Neuroinflammatory Mouse Model: A Study of Sex Differences and the Underlying TLR4/NF-κB Mechanism. Neurochemical research · 6 Jul 2026 PMID 42406171
- Nose-to-Brain Delivery of mRNA-Loaded Lipid Nanoparticles Bypasses the Blood-Brain Barrier for Effective Brain Disease Therapy. ACS nano · 20 May 2026 PMID 42157518
- Target delivery of brain-derived neurotrophic factor using magnetic stimulation in subacute stroke. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie · 15 May 2026 PMID 42140057
- The TRKB Agonist 7,8-dihydroxyflavone Alleviates DNA Damage and Apoptosis in a Neuronal Cell Model of Friedreich's Ataxia. Molecular neurobiology · 22 Apr 2026 PMID 42018061
- Mechanisms of dexmedetomidine-induced cerebral protection following ischemic brain injury via the brain-derived neurotrophic factor-tyrosine kinase receptor B pathway. Neuroreport · 22 Apr 2026 PMID 42015734
- BDNF insufficiency exacerbates ALS progression. Cell reports. Medicine · 21 Apr 2026 PMID 42013845
- Yiqi Yangxin Anshen Oral liquid ameliorates anxiety-like behaviors and learning-memory impairment in sleep deprivation rats via maintaining neurotransmitters homeostasis and regulation of cAMP/CREB signaling pathway. Journal of ethnopharmacology · 17 Apr 2026 PMID 41997438
Written from 9 PubMed abstracts, each one listed by PMID above. Published: 2026-06-15. Last written: 2026-08-26 by GPT. Drafted by language models from published abstracts; not medical advice.