Taurine modulates hippocampal BDNF/TrkB/ERK1/CREB signaling and behavioral outcomes in a model of early life neglect.

Early life trauma/stress is associated with behavioral abnormalities, memory impairment, and long-term neurodevelopmental alterations. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its associated signaling pathways have been investigated for their roles in linking stress with neurological complications. Taurine (TAU), the most abundant non-protein amino acid in the body, is known for its significant effects on the central nervous system (CNS); however, its precise mechanisms of action are vague. This study aimed to investigate the effects of TAU on the BDNF/TrkB/ERK1/CREB signaling pathway in the hippocampus and its impact on memory, cognitive deficits, and depression-like behaviors in the maternal separation and early weaning (MSEW) model. The amino acid TAU was administered to mouse offspring (50 and 100 mg/kg, s.c., started on the post-natal day; PND = 6) of the control and MSEW model. Behavioral tests revealed significant memory impairments and depression-like behavior during puberty, with no significant changes in memory indices observed in adult offspring. Notably, TAU treatment significantly ameliorated memory impairments and reduced cognitive disorder and depression markers during puberty (PND = 35). In the MSEW group, the expression/levels of BDNF, TrkB, ERK1, and CREB were markedly downregulated during puberty, while no significant changes were detected in adult animals (PND = 85). Notably, the TAU administration significantly upregulated components of the BDNF/TrkB/ERK1/CREB signaling pathway in both juvenile and adult mice. These findings suggest that TAU may have therapeutic potential in mitigating early-life trauma-induced neurodevelopmental deficits by modulating the BDNF/TrkB/ERK1/CREB pathway. Given the critical role of this signaling pathway in various CNS disorders, further investigations are warranted to explore the effects of TAU in the CNS and to elucidate its potential as a candidate for further investigation in stress-related neurodevelopmental and neurobehavioral disorders.