Projection neurons of the prefrontal cortex, their participation in the formation of various forms of behavior and expression in them of brain-derived neurotrophic factor

The prefrontal cortex (PFC) plays a key role in cognitive plasticity and is involved in various processes of higher nervous activity. At the same time, studying the processes underlying various forms of behavior in which PFC neurons participate is a non-trivial task. The associative functions of the PFC are associated with the nature of the connectivity of this structure with other areas of the brain, which, according to recent data, is much more complex than previously thought. Thus, it becomes clear that the axons of PFC projection neurons have many collaterals projecting to many different targets in the brain. In this review, we highlight the latest results in studying the connectivity of PFC neurons using the latest methods for analyzing projections and single-cell transcriptomes. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in the functioning of these neurons and their projection targets, but the transport of this neurotrophin by PFC projection neurons to structures where it is not locally expressed may be especially important. We review recent results mapping such neurons in the PFC, highlighting Bdnf expression and potential role in the pathogenesis of mental disorders.