Editorial Material
Medicine, Legal
Fiona Sewell, Ian Waterson, David Jones, Mark David Tricklebank, Ian Ragan
Summary: Depression is a prevalent mental health problem worldwide, with neuropharmacological research struggling to meet clinical needs due to the limitations of animal models in predicting clinical efficacy. More research is needed to explore alternative methods that do not involve subjecting animals to stressors like the forced swim test.
REGULATORY TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Pedro Augusto Lopes Tito, Tulio Cezar de Souza Bernardino, Paula Maria Quaglio Bellozi, Maria Carolina Machado da Silva, Aline Silva de Miranda, Erica Leandro Marciano Vieira, Fabricio A. Moreira, Andras Palotas, Antonio Carlos Pinheiro de Oliveira, Helton Jose Reis
Summary: CBD effectively prevented changes in depressive-like behavior induced by LPS in mice, while also reversing LPS-evoked increases in IL-6 levels in the hypothalamus and hippocampus. Additionally, CBD prevented endotoxin-induced increases in BDNF and NGF levels in the hippocampus of socially isolated animals. These findings suggest that CBD may have potential as an antidepressant that modulates neuroinflammation and could offer new therapeutic options for MDD.
PHARMACOLOGICAL REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alexandros Tsimpolis, Maria Kokkali, Aris Logothetis, Konstantinos Kalafatakis, Ioannis Charalampopoulos
Summary: Novel research studies have discovered complex interactions between glucocorticoid hormones and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, regulating crucial physiological processes in neuronal cells. This study investigated the acute effects of glucocorticoid stimulation on gene expression of BDNF and TrkB in astrocytes, revealing a biphasic response characterized by an initial rapid upregulation and subsequent downregulation of BDNF mRNA under the influence of glucocorticoid receptors. These findings demonstrate a rhythmic regulation of the neurotrophin system based on glucocorticoid levels, indicating the intricate trophic responses to temporal hormonal mechanisms in the brain microenvironment.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Shuang Zhao, Chengbo Rong, Yi Gao, Linfeng Wu, Xiaoheng Luo, Shuang Song, Yu Liu, Jack Ho Wong, Hexiang Wang, Litao Yi, Tzibun Ng
Summary: A 28-kDa polysaccharide-peptide with antidepressant-like activities was isolated from the spores of Ganoderma lucidum, showing similarities with proteins from other mushroom species. This compound enhanced cell viability, reduced stress hormone levels, and influenced brain neurotransmitters and proteins, suggesting a potential BDNF-dependent mechanism.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yang Yang, Akihiro Mouri, Qiaohui Lu, Kazuo Kunisawa, Hisayoshi Kubota, Masaya Hasegawa, Mami Hirakawa, Yuko Mori, Zou Libo, Kuniaki Saito, Toshitaka Nabeshima
Summary: Lou C and Xan attenuate abnormal behaviors induced by chronic corticosterone administration by increasing BDNF expression and phosphorylation of Akt, mTOR, and CREB, making them attractive candidates for the treatment of depressive disorders.
NEUROCHEMICAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Marc L. Molendijk, E. Ronald de Kloet
Summary: The immobility response in the forced swim test is not considered a rodent model of depression, but it can predict a compound's antidepressant potential to some extent. Despite some papers labeling immobility as depression-like behavior, the perspective on this issue varies among different countries.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Leo Sher, Linda M. Bierer, Janine Flory, Iouri Makotkine, Rachel Yehuda
Summary: This study found that plasma BDNF levels were higher among combat veterans who made suicide attempts post-deployment compared to those who did not. BDNF may be involved in the pathophysiology of suicidal behavior in this population.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Andonia Petkova-Tuffy, Nina Goedecke, Julio Viotti, Martin Korte, Thomas Dresbach
Summary: The study reveals that NL1 and BDNF act together to play a crucial role in synaptic maturation, including increasing the stability of active zones and recycling of synaptic vesicles, a process that relies on a transsynaptic pathway between them. Using BDNF can mimic the effects of NL1 overexpression on structural and functional maturation, while blocking BDNF signaling can prevent the effects of NL1 on presynaptic maturation.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Christiane Brandwein, Cathalijn H. C. Leenaars, Laura Becker, Natascha Pfeiffer, Ana -Maria Iorgu, Melissa Hahn, Gaia A. Vairani, Lars Lewejohann, Andre Bleich, Anne S. Mallien, Peter Gass
Summary: This systematic mapping review provides a comprehensive overview of the evolution and commonly used set-ups of the Porsolt Forced Swim Test in rats. By offering detailed technical aspects and a list of existing publications, it enhances the reproducibility and comparability of this experiment, aiming to reduce animal usage and unnecessary replication.
PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Mohammed H. Elkomy, Fatma I. Abo El-Ela, Randa Mohammed Zaki, Omar A. Alsaidan, Mohammed Elmowafy, Ameeduzzafar Zafar, Khaled Shalaby, Mohamed A. Abdelgawad, Hany A. Omar, Rania Salama, Hussein M. Eid
Summary: This study developed and optimized a drug-loaded thermosensitive gel for intranasal administration to combat depression. The results demonstrated that compared to other formulations, this thermosensitive gel significantly improved behavioral performance and alleviated neural tissue changes in depressed rats. Further research is needed to determine its effectiveness in humans.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Carlos Berlanga-Macias, Mairena Sanchez-Lopez, Montserrat Solera-Martinez, Ana Diez-Fernandez, Inmaculada Ballesteros-Yanez, Carlos A. Castillo-Sarmiento, Isabel A. Martinez-Ortega, Vicente Martinez-Vizcaino
Summary: This study found no significant positive association between exclusive breastfeeding and BDNF serum levels in Spanish schoolchildren aged eight to 11 years. Regardless of breastfeeding duration, age group, or sexual maturation, BDNF levels did not show significant differences, indicating that exclusive breastfeeding may not have a significant impact on BDNF levels in this age group.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Cheng-Yueh Hsu, Wayne Huey-Herng Sheu, I-Te Lee
Summary: This study found a relationship between serum BDNF levels and CKD through a cross-sectional study and genetic analysis. A higher fasting BDNF level was associated with a lower prevalence of CKD, and specific BDNF gene variants were significantly associated with CKD.
DIABETOLOGY & METABOLIC SYNDROME
(2023)
Review
Behavioral Sciences
Ya-Hai Wang, Huan-Huan Zhou, Qiang Luo, Sidong Cui
Summary: This study investigated the effects of physical exercise on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in healthy individuals. The findings showed that both acute and long-term exercise had significant positive effects on circulating BDNF levels. Subgroup analysis revealed that long-term aerobic exercise, female participants, participants older than 60 years, and aerobic exercise contributed to a more pronounced improvement in BDNF levels.
BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR
(2022)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Sarah K. Ashcroft, Daniel D. Ironside, Liam Johnson, Suzanne S. Kuys, Angelica G. Thompson-Butel
Summary: This systematic review and meta-analysis of 17 studies found that high intensity aerobic exercise can increase circulating BDNF concentrations, which may contribute to increased neuroplasticity in individuals poststroke.
Article
Neurosciences
Shristi Khanal, Eugene Bok, Jaekwang Kim, Gyu Hwan Park, Dong-Young Choi
Summary: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease without known cure or therapy. Inosine, a purine nucleoside, can protect neuroblastoma cells and dopaminergic neurons through brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) upregulation and activation of its downstream signaling pathway. Adenosine receptors A1 and A2A play critical roles in mediating the neuroprotective effects of inosine. Inosine shows therapeutic potential in treating dopaminergic neurodegeneration in PD.