The study investigates the role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampus. BDNF, a member of the nerve growth factor (NGF) gene family, has been shown to influence neuronal survival and differentiation. The researchers created a strain of mice with a deletion in the coding sequence of the BDNF gene and used hippocampal slices from these mice to test LTP. They found that homo- and heterozygous mutant mice showed significantly reduced LTP in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, with both the magnitude of potentiation and the percentage of successful LTPs being affected. Despite normal pharmacological, anatomical, and morphological parameters in the hippocampus of these animals, the results suggest that BDNF plays a functional role in the expression of LTP in the hippocampus. The study also highlights that while BDNF is crucial for LTP, it is not essential under all circumstances, indicating that other factors may also contribute to LTP expression.The study investigates the role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampus. BDNF, a member of the nerve growth factor (NGF) gene family, has been shown to influence neuronal survival and differentiation. The researchers created a strain of mice with a deletion in the coding sequence of the BDNF gene and used hippocampal slices from these mice to test LTP. They found that homo- and heterozygous mutant mice showed significantly reduced LTP in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, with both the magnitude of potentiation and the percentage of successful LTPs being affected. Despite normal pharmacological, anatomical, and morphological parameters in the hippocampus of these animals, the results suggest that BDNF plays a functional role in the expression of LTP in the hippocampus. The study also highlights that while BDNF is crucial for LTP, it is not essential under all circumstances, indicating that other factors may also contribute to LTP expression.