title: Neurotrophic Factors Used to Treat Spinal Cord Injury.
abstract: The application of neurotrophic factors as a therapy to improve morphological and behavioral outcomes after experimental spinal cord injury (SCI) has been the focus of many studies. These studies vary markedly in the type of neurotrophic factor that is delivered, the mode of administration, and the location, timing, and duration of the treatment. Generally, the majority of studies have had significant success if neurotrophic factors are applied in or close to the lesion site during the acute or the subacute phase after SCI. Comparatively fewer studies have administered neurotrophic factors in order to directly target the somata of injured neurons. The mode of delivery varies between acute injection of recombinant proteins, subacute or chronic delivery using a variety of strategies including osmotic minipumps, cell-mediated delivery, delivery using polymer release vehicles or supporting bridges of some sort, or the use of gene therapy to modify neurons, glial cells, or precursor/stem cells. In this brief review, we summarize the state of play of many of the therapies using these factors, most of which have been undertaken in rodent models of SCI.
authors.affiliation: School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia; Western Australian Neuroscience Research Institute, Perth, WA, Australia. Electronic address: stuart.hodgetts@uwa.edu.au.
authors.forename: S I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Hodgetts
authors.affiliation: School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia; Western Australian Neuroscience Research Institute, Perth, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Harvey
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015507:Drugs, Investigational / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055495:Neurogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D000066829:Neuroprotection / Q000187:drug effects; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D013127:Spinal Nerves / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D015507:Drugs, Investigational; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
keywords: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor; Ciliary neurotrophic factor; Fibroblast growth factor; Gene therapy; Glial-derived neurotrophic factor; Nerve growth factor; Neurotherapy; Neurotrophic factors; Neurotrophin 3; Spinal cord injury