The Role of Pro- and Mature Neurotrophins in the Depression

Neurotrophic factors, which can provide nutritional support to neurons and neuronal cells, also played an important role in their proliferation and survival. As signaling molecules, it also mediated the learning, memory and other activities in the brain. The latest study shows that neurotrophic factors have diametrically opposing effects of the pro- and mature form through distinct receptors. In this review, we summarize the different forms of neurotrophic factors, related receptors, and the corresponding biological effects. More importantly, we expounded the physiology and pathology mechanisms of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)in depression. It is hopefully to provide new idea on the relationship of neurotrophic factors and depression.