Translation of BDNF-gene transcripts with short 3′ UTR in hippocampal CA1 neurons improves memory formation and enhances synaptic plasticity-relevant signaling pathways

•BDNF transcripts with short 3′ UTR in the CA1 improves fear, object location memory.•Overexpressed BDNF improves relearning of object location, but not object shape.•Expression enhances persistently synaptic plasticity relevant signaling pathways.•Higher dose BDNF expression does not improve long-term passive avoidance memory.•Higher dose of BDNF expression mediates fearful behavior and seizures.