Decreased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are known to cause erratic synaptic plasticity, which can subsequently lead to depression, suggesting that CuIIa has a potential use in antidepressant diseases and as a neuroprotectant by downregulating the CaMKII-CREB-BDNF pathway. The gene discussed is BDNF; the disease is major depressive disorder.