The TrkB agonist 7,8-dihydroxyflavone changes the structural dynamics of neocortical pyramidal neurons and improves object recognition in mice

BDNF and its receptor TrkB have important roles in neurodevelopment, neural plasticity, learning, and memory. Alterations in TrkB expression have been described in different CNS disorders. Therefore, drugs interacting with TrkB, specially agonists, are promising therapeutic tools. Among them, the recently described 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (DHF), an orally bioactive compound, has been successfully tested in animal models of these diseases. Recent studies have shown the influence of this drug on the structure of pyramidal neurons, specifically on dendritic spine density. However, there is no information yet on how DHF may alter the structural dynamics of these neurons (i.e., real-time study of the addition/elimination of dendritic spines and axonal boutons). To gain knowledge on these effects of DHF, we have performed a real-time analysis of spine and axonal dynamics in pyramidal neurons of barrel cortex, using cranial windows and 2-photon microscopy during a chronic oral treatment with this drug. After confirming TrkB expression in these neurons, we found that DHF increased the gain rates of spines and axonal boutons, as well as improved object recognition memory. These results help to understand how the activation of the BDNF-TrkB system can improve basic behavioral tasks through changes in the structural dynamics of pyramidal neurons. Moreover, they highlight DHF as a promising therapeutic vector for certain brain disorders in which this system is altered.