Institute for Neuroanatomy, University Hospital, RWTH University Aachen, Wendlingweg 2, Aachen D-52074, Germany.
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, RWTH University Aachen, Neuenhofer Weg 21, Aachen D-52074, Germany.
Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2023 May;151:106069. doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106069. Epub 2023 Mar 4.
The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a growth factor belonging to the neurotrophin family which plays a pivotal role in the differentiation, survival, and plasticity of neurons in the central nervous system. Evidence suggests that BDNF is an important signal molecule in the regulation of energy balance and thus implicated in body weight control. The discovery of BDNF-expressing neurons in the paraventricular hypothalamus which is important in the regulation of energy intake, physical activity, and thermogenesis gives more evidence to the suggested participation of BDNF in eating behavior. Until now it remains questionable whether BDNF can be used as a reliable biomarker for eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa (AN) as available findings on BDNF levels in patients with AN are ambiguous. AN is an eating disorder characterized by a pathological low body weight in combination with a body image disturbance typically developing during adolescence. A severe drive for thinness leads to restrictive eating behavior often accompanied by physical hyperactivity. During therapeutic weight restoration an increase of BDNF expression levels seems desirable as it might improve neuronal plasticity and survival which is essential for learning processes and thereby essential for the success of the psychotherapeutic treatment of patients. On the contrary, the well-known anorexigenic effect of BDNF might favor relapse in patients as soon as the BDNF levels significantly increase during weight rehabilitation. The present review summarizes the association between BDNF and general eating behavior and especially focuses on the eating disorder AN. In this regard findings from preclinical AN studies (activity-based anorexia model) are outlined as well.
脑源性神经营养因子（BDNF）是一种神经生长因子，属于神经营养因子家族，在中枢神经系统神经元的分化、存活和可塑性中起着关键作用。有证据表明，BDNF 是调节能量平衡的重要信号分子，因此与体重控制有关。在调节能量摄入、体力活动和产热方面起重要作用的下丘脑室旁核中发现表达 BDNF 的神经元，为 BDNF 参与进食行为提供了更多证据。到目前为止，BDNF 是否可以作为厌食症（AN）等进食障碍的可靠生物标志物仍存在疑问，因为关于 AN 患者 BDNF 水平的现有发现存在矛盾。AN 是一种进食障碍，其特征是病理性低体重，伴有典型发生在青春期的身体形象障碍。对消瘦的强烈渴望导致限制进食行为，通常伴有身体过度活跃。在治疗性体重恢复期间，BDNF 表达水平的增加似乎是理想的，因为它可以改善神经元的可塑性和存活，这对学习过程至关重要，因此对患者的心理治疗成功至关重要。相反，BDNF 的众所周知的厌食作用可能会使患者在体重恢复期间 BDNF 水平显著增加时容易复发。本综述总结了 BDNF 与一般进食行为之间的关联，特别是重点关注进食障碍 AN。在这方面，概述了临床前 AN 研究（基于活动的厌食症模型）的结果。
