Increases in mature brain-derived neurotrophic factor protein in the frontal cortex and basal forebrain during chronic sleep restriction in rats: Possible role in initiating allostatic adaptation

Highlights • Adult male rats underwent 27 or 99 h of a “3/1” protocol of sleep restriction. • BDNF protein levels were measured in the frontal cortex, basal forebrain, and hippocampus. • BDNF increased after 27 h, and slightly declined after 99 h, of sleep restriction. • After 24 h of recovery from sleep restriction, BDNF levels were at baseline levels. • BDNF may be involved in initiating the allostatic responses to chronic sleep loss.