Neurotrophic factors in neurodegenerative disorders : potential for therapy.
Finding an effective therapy to treat chronic neurodegenerative disorders still represents an unmet and elusive goal, mainly because so many pathogenic variables come into play in these diseases. Recent emphasis has been placed on the role of neurotrophic factors in the aetiology of such disorders because of their role in the survival of different cell phenotypes under various adverse conditions, including neurodegeneration.This review summarizes the current status and the efforts to treat neurodegenerative disorders by the exogenous administration of neurotrophic factors in an attempt to replenish trophic supply, the paucity of which may contribute to the development of the illness. Although promising results have been seen in animal models, this approach still meets disparate and often insurmountable problems in clinical settings, presumably related to the unique nature of the human being.
Fumagalli
Fabio
F
Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Center of Neuropharmacology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
Molteni
Raffaella
R
Calabrese
Francesca
F
Maj
Paola Francesca
PF
Racagni
Giorgio
G
Riva
Marco Andrea
MA
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
D009414:Nerve Growth Factors