Sustained NMDA receptor hypofunction impairs brain-derived neurotropic factor signalling in the PFC, but not in the hippocampus, and disturbs PFC-dependent cognition in mice.

Overall, these data suggest that NMDA-R hypofunction induces dysfunctional BDNF signalling in the PFC, but not in the hippocampus, which may contribute to the PFC-dependent cognitive deficits seen in the subchronic PCP model. Additionally, these data suggest that targeting BDNF signalling may be a mechanism to improve PFC-dependent cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia.