Neuroprotective Strategies Involving the Neurotrophins and Their Signaling Pathways

Nerve growth factor (NGF) was the first neurotrophic factor isolated and sequenced, and much of the knowledge in the field has been based on studies related to this classic growth factor. It is now evident that NGF is a member of a larger family termed the neurotrophins, which consists of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), NT-4/5, and NT-6 (Bothwell, 1995). The neurotrophins affect a number of developing and adult neuronal populations in both the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and central nervous system (CNS), and can provide neuroprotection to neurons axotomized by mechanical injury or damaged by neurotoxins (Table 1). These observations have led to the hypothesis that the neurotrophins have therapeutic potential in the treatment of a wide range of insults to the nervous system, including neurodegenerative disorders, peripheral neuropathies, and traumatic injury. These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.