The role of nerve-growth factor (NGF) in the central nervous system.
NGF is a protein that stimulates growth and differentiation of sympathetic and sensory components of the peripheral nervous system. The purpose of this review is to examine the evidence that NGF has similar activity in the central nervous system. First, the primary mode of interaction of NGF with the nerve cell will be discussed, and the possibility that such an interaction takes place in the brain will be examined. Recent studies have demonstrated that NGF promotes regenerative sprouting of damaged catecholamine-containing neurons in the brain. The next part of the paper reviews this literature, and other findings that indicate or contraindicate a role of NGF in brain maturation of maintenance. The final part of this paper suggests specific avenues for future research in this area, and presents conclusions regarding the literatureon brain activity of NGF to date.
D000818:Animals; D001370:Axonal Transport; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000502:physiology; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D009928:Organ Specificity; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000494:pharmacology; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000187:drug effects; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism; D014404:Tubulin / Q000378:metabolism; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000494:pharmacology
D007328:Insulin; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D014404:Tubulin; D014747:Vinblastine; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases; D002118:Calcium