BRAIN-DERIVED NEUROTROPHIC FACTOR EXPRESSION AFTER LONG-TERM POTENTIATION

Long-term potentiation (LTP) of perforant-path dentate granule cell sy napses, in awake rats, was followed by a time-dependent expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA in dentate granule cells . This BDNF expression was blocked by the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist dizocilpine maleate (MK-801), which also blocked LTP induct ion, and by sodium pentobarbital, which shortens LTP persistence. Thes e results suggest that BDNF may participate in the NMDA-receptor media ted cascade of events that result in LTP stabilization.