The growth factor brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and its receptor tropomyosin-related kinase receptor type B (TrkB) play an active role in numerous areas of the adult brain, where they regulate the neuronal activity, function, and survival. Upregulation and downregulation of BDNF expression are critical for the physiology of neuronal circuits and functioning in the brain. Loss of BDNF function has been reported in the brains of patients with neurodegenerative or psychiatric disorders. This article reviews the BDNF gene structure, transport, secretion, expression and functions in the brain. This article also implicates BDNF in several brain-related disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, epilepsy and bipolar disorder.

生长因子脑源性神经营养因子 (BDNF) 及其受体原肌球蛋白相关激酶受体 B 型 (TrkB) 在成人大脑的许多区域发挥积极作用，它们调节神经元活动、功能和存活。BDNF 表达的上调和下调对于神经元回路的生理学和大脑功能至关重要。据报道，在患有神经退行性疾病或精神疾病的患者的大脑中，BDNF 功能丧失。本文综述了 BDNF 基因在大脑中的结构、运输、分泌、表达和功能。这篇文章还指出 BDNF 与多种大脑相关疾病有关，包括阿尔茨海默病、帕金森病、亨廷顿舞蹈病、肌萎缩侧索硬化、重度抑郁症、精神分裂症、癫痫和双相情感障碍。