Topic: TrkB-Fc

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

Activation of microglia by inflammation or chronic disease has profound effects on neurons and synapses. The details of this communication between the immune system and the brain are under active investigation. Common strategies to activate microglia, such as lipopolysaccharide injection or experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) primarily activate the peripheral immune system, triggering a complex and protracted response of the whole organism. In order to activate microglia selectively and with precise timing, we used chemogenetic activation of a Gq-DREADD expressed exclusively in mic