Schematic representation of pro and mature brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling pathways. Pro-BDNF binds preferentially to p75 neurotrophin receptor, activating nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), leading to apoptosis and dendritic pruning. Mature BDNF binds specifically to tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) receptor, activating mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), phospholipase C gamma (PLC-γ), and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3-K), leading to neuronal survival differentiation and synaptic plasticity.