BDNF helps protect brain cells from damage caused by oxidative stress, excessive stimulation, and the toxic effects of amyloid-beta proteins that are involved in Alzheimer's disease.

Source Excerpt

“Another potential beneficial effect of BDNF is its ability to protect neurons from oxidative damage or excitotoxic stress and from Aβ-induced degeneration in animal models of normal and pathological aging. In fact, BDNF is upregulated in response to different kinds of insults to the nervous system. An exercise regime can lessen the accumulation of oxidative cell damage and the dysfunction characteristic of aged animals, and selective suppression of BDNF increases the vulnerability of neurons to excitotoxicity and increases amyloidogenesis. BDNF protects against Aβ-mediated toxicity by contributing to its degradation and preventing tau hyperphosphorylation. In this sense, BDNF is expressed by microglial and astroglial cells in the plaque vicinity and seems to protect from neuroinflammation, thereby supporting neuronal survival and preventing apoptosis.”