The BDNF Val66Met polymorphism impairs NMDA receptor-dependent synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus

The Val66Met polymorphism in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene results in a defect in regulated release of BDNF and affects episodic memory and affective behaviors. However, the precise role of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism in hippocampal synaptic transmission and plasticity has not...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of neuroscience 2010-06, Vol.30 (26), p.8866-8870
Main Authors: Ninan, Ipe, Bath, Kevin G, Dagar, Karishma, Perez-Castro, Rosalia, Plummer, Mark R, Lee, Francis S, Chao, Moses V
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aging
Animals
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor - genetics
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor - metabolism
Brief Communications
Female
Glutamic Acid - metabolism
Hippocampus - physiology
Long-Term Potentiation - physiology
Long-Term Synaptic Depression - physiology
Mice
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Mice, Transgenic
Neuronal Plasticity - physiology
Neurons - physiology
Polymorphism, Genetic
Pyramidal Cells - physiology
Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate - metabolism
Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate - metabolism
Synapses - physiology
Synaptic Transmission - physiology
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Summary:The Val66Met polymorphism in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene results in a defect in regulated release of BDNF and affects episodic memory and affective behaviors. However, the precise role of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism in hippocampal synaptic transmission and plasticity has not yet been studied. Therefore, we examined synaptic properties in the hippocampal CA3-CA1 synapses of BDNF(Met/Met) mice and matched wild-type mice. Although basal glutamatergic neurotransmission was normal, both young and adult mice showed a significant reduction in NMDA receptor-dependent long-term potentiation. We also found that NMDA receptor-dependent long-term depression was decreased in BDNF(Met/Met) mice. However, mGluR-dependent long-term depression was not affected by the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism. Consistent with the NMDA receptor-dependent synaptic plasticity impairment, we observed a significant decrease in NMDA receptor neurotransmission in the CA1 pyramidal neurons of BDNF(Met/Met) mice. Thus, these results show that the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism has a direct effect on NMDA receptor transmission, which may account for changes in synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus.
ISSN:0270-6474
1529-2401
DOI:10.1523/jneurosci.1405-10.2010