Topic: brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is an important regulator of synaptic activity and a mediator of LTP of hippocampal synapses. Furthermore, synaptic activity controls mitochondrial fission and dynamic control of fission regulates plasticity induction in hippocampus. Given the important role of mitochondrial fission in establishing LTP and knowing the key role of BDNF in LTP induction, we hypothesized that the effects of BDNF on synaptic potentiation could be mediated by mitochondrial fission. We observed that local protein synthesis of Drp1, a key mediator of mitochondrial fission, is

Aging has potent effects on many basic parameters of circadian rhythm and also are associated with impairments in learning and memory. Melatonin, a hormone mainly secreted in the pineal gland, is believed to restore circadian rhythm of clock genes in the suprachiasmatic nucleus during aging. The present study attempted to examine the daily profiles of different clock genes, and the clock-controlled cognition-related gene during development and aging and examine the effect of melatonin on the expression of these genes during aging in rat hippocampus. The results showed that the mRNA of the cloc

Methamphetamine (MA) is a highly addictive psychostimulant abused worldwide that causes long-term behavioral changes that are linked to changes in the brain. The third trimester and adolescence are critical periods of development as the body undergoes dramatic changes and becomes more sensitive to the effects of the drug. This study aimed to investigate the effect of MA exposure during the first 12 postnatal days of laboratory rats, corresponding to the human third trimester, on hippocampal neurotrophin levels in adolescence. Exposure was performed either directly (daily subcutaneous injection