Sex differences in brain-derived neurotrophic factor signaling: Functions and implications

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• 作者：Yi-Chao Wei ; Shao-Ran Wang and Xiao-Hong Xu
• 刊名：Journal of Neuroscience Research
• 出版年：2017
• 出版时间：January/February 2017
• 年：2017
• 卷：95
• 期：1-2
• 页码：336-344
• 全文大小：190K
• ISSN：1097-4547

文摘

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) regulates diverse processes such as neuronal survival, differentiation, and plasticity. Accumulating evidence suggests that molecular events that direct sexual differentiation of the brain interact with BDNF signaling pathways. This Mini-Review first examines potential hormonal and epigenetic mechanisms through which sex influences BDNF signaling. We then examine how sex-specific regulation of BDNF signaling supports the development and function of sexually dimorphic neural circuits that underlie male-specific genital reflexes in rats and song production in birds. Finally, we discuss the implications of sex differences in BDNF signaling for gender-biased presentation of neurological and psychiatric diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Although this Mini-Review focuses on BDNF, we try to convey the general message that sex influences brain functions in complex ways and underscore the requirement for and challenge of expanding research on sex differences in neuroscience.