Indirect influence on the BDNF/TrkB receptor signaling pathway via GPCRs, an emerging strategy in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders

Abstract Neuronal survival depends on neurotrophins and their receptors. There are two types of neurotrophin receptors: a nonenzymatic, trans‐membrane protein of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) family–p75 receptor and the tyrosine kinase receptors (TrkR) A, B, and C. Activation of the TrkBR by brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) or neurotrophin 4/5 (NT‐4/5) promotes neuronal survival, differentiation, and synaptic function. It is shown that in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative conditions (Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease) the BDNF/TrkBR signaling pathway is impaired. Since it is known that GPCRs and TrkR are regulating several cell functions by interacting with each other and generating a cross‐communication in this review we have focused on the interaction between different GPCRs and their ligands on BDNF/TrkBR signaling pathway.