title: Nerve growth factor modulation of the cavernous nerve response to injury.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Surgical therapies for prostate cancer and other pelvic malignancies often result in neuronal damage and debilitating loss of sexual function due to cavernous nerve (CN) trauma. Advances in the neurobiology of growth factors have heightened clinical interest in the development of protective and regenerative neuromodulatory strategies targeting CN recovery following injury.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this review was to offer an examination of current and future nerve growth factor (NGF) modulation of the CN response to injury with a focus on brain-derived nerve growth factor (BDNF), growth differentiation factor-5 (GDF-5), and neurturin (NTN).
  
  
  METHODS
  Information for this presentation was derived from a current literature search using the National Library of Medicine PubMed Services producing publications relevant to this topic. Search terms included neuroprotection, nerve regeneration, NGFs, neurotrophic factors, BDNF, GDF-5, NTN, and CNs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Basic science studies satisfying the search inclusion criteria were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this session, BDNF, atypical growth factors GDF-5 and NTN, and their potential influence upon CN recovery after injury are reviewed, as are the molecular pathways by which their influence is exerted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compromised CN function is a significant cause of erectile dysfunction development following prostatectomy and serves as the primary target for potential neuroprotective or regenerative strategies utilizing NGFs such as BDNF, GDF-5, and NTN, and/or targeted novel therapeutics modulating signaling pathways.
authors.affiliation: Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada. abella@ohri.ca
authors.forename: Anthony J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Bella
authors.forename: Guiting
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Ching-Shwun
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Duane R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Hickling
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Morash
authors.forename: Tom F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Lue
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000502:physiology; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000503:physiopathology; D055428:Growth Differentiation Factor 5 / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000502:physiology*; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D051101:Neurturin / Q000502:physiology; D010413:Penis / Q000293:injuries*
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D055428:Growth Differentiation Factor 5; D051101:Neurturin; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor