New insight in expression, transport, and secretion of brain-derived neurotrophic factor: Implications in brain-related diseases

Figure 3 Molecular mechanisms of phencyclidine-induced synaptic loss as a cellular model of schizophrenia. Phencyclidine decreased the number of synaptic sites in cultured cortical neurons through blockade of Ca²⁺ influx via NMDARs and resultant suppression of BDNF secretion. The impairment in BDNF secretion reduced TrkB activation and resulted in decreased synaptic connectivity[15]. BDNF: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor; NMDAR: N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors; PCP: Phencyclidine.