title: Nerve growth factor receptors in dementia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Nerve growth factor (NGF) promotes the survival and differentiation of sensory and sympathetic neurons. Several studies have found that certain neuropathological factors stimulate NGF receptor expression and release the truncated nerve growth factor receptor (TNGFR) to biological fluids. The aim of this pilot study was to determine urine TNGFR levels in patients with dementia and to verify whether TNGFR can be used as a biomarker of dementia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve patients with dementia and 12 healthy individuals were asked to voluntarily participate in this study. Ages, sexes, and weights were matched. The first morning urine samples were collected and the concentrations of TNGFR in the urine samples were measured by fluoroimmunoassay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean levels of TNGFR in the urine samples of the healthy control subjects and the patients with dementia were 164 ± 23 and 341 ± 66 ng / mg creatinine respectively. A positive relationship was found between the levels of TNGFR in different ages of both control and patient subgroups. This is consistent with the previous observations that pathological condition may stimulate the NGF receptor expression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings might be of assistance to evaluate the development of the memory loss associated with Alzheimer disease and other age-associated diseases.
authors.forename: Manoochehr
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Messripour
authors.forename: Abolfazl
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nazarian
authors.forename: Azadeh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mesripour
authors.forename: Iman
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mohammadi
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000652:urine; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003704:Dementia / Q000652:urine*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D015200:Fluoroimmunoassay; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor