Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has potential for the treatment of human
neurodegenerative diseases. However, the general lack of success of neurotrophic factors
in clinical trials has led to the suggestion that low molecular weight neurotrophic drugs may
be better agents for therapeutic use. Here we describe small, dimeric peptides designed to
mimic a pair of solvent-exposed loops important for the binding and activation of the BDNF
receptor, trkB. The monomer components that make up the dimers were based on a …