Project 459136

The Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is a naturally occurring substance that has been discovered in the brain. It is responsible for neuron growth and healing of the brain blood vessels. When insufficiently produced, a lack of BDNF leads to depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. BDNF had also been found in the bloodstream, in small cells called platelets, at much higher concentrations than in the brain. Platelets are mostly known for their role in clotting to stop bleeding upon injury. Why exactly they carry such large quantities of BDNF is unknown. Moreover, we do not yet know whether BDNF released in the blood by platelets can reach the brain. Indeed, the brain is protected from blood circulation by a barrier, named the blood-brain barrier. In this project, we propose to study whether BDNF released from platelets can indeed cross the blood-brain barrier. We would like to better understand how this passage through the barrier is made possible. If BDNF does reach the brain, platelet-stored BDNF could become an interesting target to increase BDNF levels and help maintain brain health.