title: Neurotrophic factors and diseases of the nervous system.
abstract: Neuronal degeneration and death occur in mammals in the course of nervous system development, during senescence, and as a consequence of pathological events throughout life. Neurotrophic factors are natural target-derived molecules that prevent neuronal degeneration and death during development and promote neuronal recovery from injury and age-related atrophy. One neurotrophic factor--nerve growth factor-prevents the death of cells that are a target of varicella-zoster virus: dorsal root sensory neurons. Delivery of neurotrophic factors to dysfunctional neurons may be a useful therapeutic strategy for promoting neuronal recovery in a number of diseases, including varicella-zoster virus infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla 92193.
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Tuszynski
authors.forename: F H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Gage
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / Q000502:physiology; D012016:Reference Values
chemical_list: D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor