BDNF and the Link to Ischemic Recovery and Alzheimer's Prevention

In Dr. Meharvan Singh’s research, Let-7i Inhibition Enhances Progesterone-Induced Functional Recovery in a Mouse Model of Ischemia, Singh reports that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a critical mediator of progesterone’s (P4) protective actions. Singh also reports that the microRNA let-7i disrupts the P4-induced BDNF release, thus inhibiting the beneficial factors that P4 has on cell viability, and markers of synaptogenesis. From Singh’s observations, it is plausible that P4/BDNF effects on the cell may contribute to P4’s protective effects during poststroke brain repair. When a combined treatment of P4 and let-7i was introduced to the in vivo model of ischemia, the ischemic injury was reduced and there was a complete recovery of the motor function.

In ScienceDaily’s news article, Gene Mutation May Speed Up Memory Loss in Alzheimer’s Disease, it is reported that the gene mutation BDNF Val66Met allele may accelerate the loss of memory and thinking skills in individuals who may be at risk for Alzheimer’s. BDNF as stated above, helps nerve cells grow, specialize, and survive. The BDNF gene mutation can be detected before the Alzheimer’s symptoms begin. Since it may be detected, early treatment may begin.

With both research studies involving BDNF’s, it is possible that Singh’s findings on how the treatment of P4/BDNF contribute to P4’s effects in poststroke brain repair may help the AD research. Upon looking for BDNF articles, not much research has been conducted in this area. Singh’s findings could possibly help slow down the effects that AD may have in at risk individuals, especially since the gene mutation can be detected before symptoms arise.

Works cited: 

American Academy of Neurology (AAN). "Gene mutation may speed up memory loss in Alzheimer's disease." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 3 May 2017. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/

Boots, E. A., Schultz, S. A., Clark, L. R., Racine, A. M., Darst, B. F., Koscik, R. L., … Okonkwo, O. C. (2017). BDNF Val66Met predicts cognitive decline in the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer's Prevention. Neurology, 88(22), 2098–2106. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000003980

Nguyen, Trinh, et al. “Let-7i Inhibition Enhances Progesterone-Induced Functional Recovery in a Mouse Model of Ischemia.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 115, no. 41, 2018, doi:10.1073/pnas.1803384115.