Contributes to the maintenance of intracerebral BDNF levels within the normal range, which is necessary for the preservation of spatial learning and the resistance to neuronal cell death caused by ischemic stress. May enhance growth factor-induced ERK1 and ERK2 phosphorylation. May attenuate NGF-promoted ELK1 phosphorylation in a microtubule-dependent manner. Predominantly expressed in the brain (at protein level). Detected in neurons of various parts of brain, including the olfactory bulb, olfactory tuberculum, cerebral cortex, striatum, hippocampus, dentate gyrus, thalamus, hypothalamus, mesencephalon, cerebellum, pons and medulla oblongata. Mutant mice have impaired spatial learning and memory but normal motor function. Belongs to the NDRG family. Extended N-terminus.