Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Is Required for the Neuroprotective Effect of Mifepristone on Immature Purkinje Cells in Cerebellar Slice Culture.

Endogenous γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-dependent activity induces death of developing Purkinje neurons in mouse organotypic cerebellar cultures and the synthetic steroid mifepristone blocks this effect. Here, using brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) heterozygous mice, we show that BDNF plays no role in immature Purkinje cell death. However, interestingly, BDNF haploinsufficiency impairs neuronal survival induced by mifepristone and GABA-receptors antagonist (bicuculline) treatments, indicating that the underlying neuroprotective mechanism requires the neurotrophin full expression.