Content area
Full Text
About the Authors:
Erin Golden
Contributed equally to this work with: Erin Golden, Ana Emiliano
Affiliation: Cellular and Molecular Neurosciences Section, National Institute on Aging Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
Ana Emiliano
Contributed equally to this work with: Erin Golden, Ana Emiliano
Affiliation: Metabolism Unit, National Institute on Aging Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
Stuart Maudsley
Affiliation: Receptor Pharmacology Unit, National Institute on Aging Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
B. Gwen Windham
Affiliation: Longitudinal Studies Section, Clinical Research Branch, National Institute on Aging Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
Olga D. Carlson
Affiliation: Diabetes Section, National Institute on Aging Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
Josephine M. Egan
Affiliation: Diabetes Section, National Institute on Aging Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
Ira Driscoll
Affiliation: Laboratory of Personality and Cognition, National Institute on Aging Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
Luigi Ferrucci
Affiliation: Longitudinal Studies Section, Clinical Research Branch, National Institute on Aging Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
Bronwen Martin
* E-mail: [email protected]
Affiliation: Metabolism Unit, National Institute on Aging Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
Mark P. Mattson
Affiliation: Cellular and Molecular Neurosciences Section, National Institute on Aging Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
Introduction
The development, survival and plasticity of the vertebrate nervous system rely on the secretion of neurotrophins by neural cells. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) belongs to the neurotrophin family and exerts its actions by activating the tropomyosin-related kinase receptor B (TrkB) [1]. BDNF is involved in learning and memory formation [2] and reduced BDNF levels in various brain regions have been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders [3]. It has more recently become apparent that BDNF is present outside of the central nervous system (CNS) and circulates systemically [4], [5]. Studies using animal models have shown that conditions linked to metabolic and cardiovascular dysfunction, e.g. obesity, diabetes, heart disease, can be modified by manipulation of BDNF in the brain and in the peripheral circulation [6]. In rodents, it has been suggested that BDNF can cross the blood-brain barrier [7] and one study indicated that...