The Role of BDNF as a Biomarker in Cognitive and Sensory Neurodegeneration

• Published in: Journal of personalized medicine Vol. 13; no. 4; p. 652
• Main Authors: Pisani, Anna, Paciello, Fabiola, Del Vecchio, Valeria, Malesci, Rita, De Corso, Eugenio, Cantone, Elena, Fetoni, Anna Rita
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 10.04.2023; MDPI
• Subjects: Alzheimer's disease; Biomarkers; Brain; Brain-derived neurotrophic factor; Central nervous system; Cochlea; Cognitive ability; Computer software industry; Dementia; DNA methylation; Experimental research; Kinases; Memory; Nervous system diseases; Neurodegeneration; Neurodegenerative diseases; Neurogenesis; Neurons; Olfaction; Physiology; Precision medicine; Proteins; Review; Signal transduction; Synaptic plasticity; TrkB receptors; Tumor necrosis factor-TNF; United States; Guinea; cochlea; neurodegenerative disease; hearing loss; biomarker; BDNF
• ISSN: 2075-4426; 2075-4426
• DOI: 10.3390/jpm13040652

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has a crucial function in the central nervous system and in sensory structures including olfactory and auditory systems. Many studies have highlighted the protective effects of BDNF in the brain, showing how it can promote neuronal growth and survival and modulate synaptic plasticity. On the other hand, conflicting data about BDNF expression and functions in the cochlear and in olfactory structures have been reported. Several clinical and experimental research studies showed alterations in BDNF levels in neurodegenerative diseases affecting the central and peripheral nervous system, suggesting that BDNF can be a promising biomarker in most neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, shearing loss, or olfactory impairment. Here, we summarize current research concerning BDNF functions in brain and in sensory domains (olfaction and hearing), focusing on the effects of the BDNF/TrkB signalling pathway activation in both physiological and pathological conditions. Finally, we review significant studies highlighting the possibility to target BDNF as a biomarker in early diagnosis of sensory and cognitive neurodegeneration, opening new opportunities to develop effective therapeutic strategies aimed to counteract neurodegeneration.