title: Central nervous system growth and differentiation factors: clinical horizons--truth or dare?
abstract: Growth factors are potent and effective regulators of nerve-cell differentiation and survival. In the past year, several compelling studies have suggested that two proteins, glial derived neurotrophic factor and ciliary neurotrophic factor, may be useful in clinical approaches to treating injury or diseases of the nervous system. In addition, delivery of such factors to the central nervous system may be facilitated by a number of recently reported technologies: growth factor-antibody conjugates, polymer encapsulation and adenovirus vectors. These recent developments are part of new and innovative approaches towards brain repair.
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Research Group, University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Weiss
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002455:Cell Division; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000254:growth & development*; D006801:Humans; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins