Role of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Expression Through Microglial Polarization in Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis with Major Depressive Disorder

In 2021, an estimation of 14.5 million U.S. adults had experienced Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Among them, nearly 40% of the population doesn’t receive treatment. MDD is characterized by cognitive deficits and impaired neurogenesis. Recent studies have identified Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) to be a crucial player in neuroplasticity and neurogenesis, with question remaining regarding its complex correlation with microglial cells and ß-site Amyloid Precursor Protein Cleaving Enzyme 1 (BACE-1) Inhibitors. This paper reviews the interplay between BDNF expression, microglial polarization, and adult hippocampal neurogenesis in the context of MDD, highlighting potential therapeutic implications.