Abstract
In this study we analyzed the effect on behavior of a chronic exposure to brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), by analysing a mouse line overexpressing BDNF under the αCaMKII promoter, which drives the transgene expression exclusively to principal neurons of the forebrain. BDNF transgenic mice and their WT littermates were examined with a battery of behavioral tests, in order to evaluate motor coordination, learning, short and long-term memory formation. Our results demonstrate that chronic BDNF overexpression in the central nervous system (CNS) causes learning deficits and short-term memory impairments, both in spatial and instrumental learning tasks. This observation suggests that a widespread increase in BDNF in forebrain networks may result in adverse effects on learning and memory formation.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 358-368 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Neurobiology of Disease |
Volume | 33 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Mar 2009 |
Keywords
- BDNF
- Passive avoidance
- Short-term memory
- Spatial learning
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neurology