Role of BDNF in the Pathogenesis of Central Nervous System Diseases and Targeted Therapy

Abstract

Central nervous system diseases are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Existing treatments are mostly symptomatic and hardly alter disease progression, so new therapeutic approaches are urgently needed. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is of great significance for the survival of neuronal as well as synaptic plasticity, and its functional abnormalities are related to many central nervous system (CNS) diseases, making it a potential therapeutic target. This article first elaborates on the biological functions and action mechanisms of BDNF, then reviews its action mechanisms, expression changes, and advances in targeted therapy in traumatic brain injury, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and depression, covering relevant studies on intervention methods such as drugs, electroconvulsive therapy, and acupuncture. At present, there are problems in this field such as unclear mechanisms in some aspects and the need for further verification of some therapeutic approaches. In the future, in-depth research on BDNF-related mechanisms and therapeutic methods is required to promote the development of BDNF-targeted therapy for central nervous system diseases towards a more effective and safe direction, which thereby provides new strategies for disease treatment.