BDNF: New Views of an Old Player in Traumatic Brain Injury

Lauren P Giesler; Richelle Mychasiuk; Sandy R Shultz; Stuart J McDonald

doi:10.1177/10738584231164918

BDNF: New Views of an Old Player in Traumatic Brain Injury

Neuroscientist. 2023 Apr 17:10738584231164918. doi: 10.1177/10738584231164918. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Lauren P Giesler¹, Richelle Mychasiuk^{1

2}, Sandy R Shultz^{1

2}, Stuart J McDonald^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
² Department of Neurology, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.

PMID: 37067029
DOI: 10.1177/10738584231164918

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury is a common health problem affecting millions of people each year. BDNF has been investigated in the context of traumatic brain injury due to its crucial role in maintaining brain homeostasis. Val66Met is a functional single-nucleotide polymorphism that results in a valine-to-methionine amino acid substitution at codon 66 in the BDNF prodomain, which ultimately reduces secretion of BDNF. Here, we review experimental animal models as well as clinical studies investigating the role of the Val66Met single-nucleotide polymorphism in traumatic brain injury outcomes, including cognitive function, motor function, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and nociception. We also review studies investigating the role of BDNF on traumatic brain injury pathophysiology as well as circulating BDNF as a biomarker of traumatic brain injury.

Keywords: BDNF; genetics; neurotrophin; traumatic brain injury.

Publication types

Review