A critical role for system A amino acid transport in the regulation of dendritic development by brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).

Dendritic development is essential for the establishment of a functional nervous system. Among factors that control dendritic development, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been shown to regulate dendritic length and complexity of cortical neurons. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie these effects remain poorly understood.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor stimulates energy metabolism in developing cortical neurons.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) promotes the biochemical and morphological differentiation of selective populations of neurons during development. In this study we examined the energy requirements associated with the effects of BDNF on neuronal differentiation. Because glucose is the preferred energy substrate in the brain, the effect of BDNF on glucose utilization was investigated in developing cortical neurons via biochemical and imaging studies.