Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is required for the neuroprotective effect of mifepristone on immature purkinje cells in cerebellar slice culture

Abstract

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 A -receptors antagonist (bicuculline) treatments, indicating that the underlying neuroprotective mechanism requires the neurotrophin full expression.