BDNF and schizophrenia: Thus, just as in schizophrenia, the abnormalities in BDNF/trkB signaling appear to be localized to the deep layers of the cortex and indicate that the neurons in subcortical areas that are supplied to the BDNF by the cortex, including thalamus and striatum, to which they project may have compromised neurotrophic support in these disorders.