The Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and Its Importance to Organism Survival and Development
Document Type
Article
Major
Physiology & Neurobiology, Instrumental Performance (Music | B.M.)
Mentor
Prof. Erika Skoe, Dept. of Speech, Language, & Hearing Sciences
Disciplines
Life Sciences | Neuroscience and Neurobiology | Systems Biology
Abstract
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) has been the subject of numerous studies regarding the functioning of the brain in relation to topics such as neural plasticity and neural survival. However, BDNF has also been implicated in the induction of changes not only in neural tissue but multiple other tissue types across the human body. The aim of this literature review is to provide a comprehensive, yet brief, overview of BDNF’s influence on the functioning of the nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, muscular, and immune systems.
Recommended Citation
Smith, Christopher Monnett, "The Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and Its Importance to Organism Survival and Development" (2025). Holster Scholar Projects. 66.
https://digitalcommons.lib.uconn.edu/srhonors_holster/66
Comments
The author thanks the following people for mentorship and feedback: Dr. Erika Skoe, Rachel Corsetti, Janet Desmarais, and all the members of the Audiology Brain Research Lab. The author also thanks the Holster Scholars Program for funding and Dr. Vin Moscardelli for advisement in pursing grant-funded independent research.