Clinical Potential of Neurotrophic Factors

Question 1

What are growth factors?

Answer 1

Most are secretory proteins. Some are membrane bound, some activate upon cleavage.

Question 2

What do growth factors do?

Answer 2

Activate multiple signalling pathways integrated in the cells.

Question 3

What are neurotrophic factors?

Answer 3

• Secretory proteins that promote neuronal survival and control the number of neurons in the nervous system.
• Stimulate neurite outgrowth and axonal regeneration.
• Regulate synaptic plasticity
• Protect neurons from toxins and injury

Question 4

What are growth factor receptors?

Answer 4

• Many types of transmembrane proteins, composed of many components.
• Activation is triggered by ligand (growth factor binding).
• Neurotrophic factors use some of these receptors.

Question 5

How can neurotrophic growth factors be used for treating AD?

Answer 5

• It has been shown that there is insufficient NGF signalling in some areas of the brain of AD patients
• Long-term local delivery to basal forebrain cholinergic neurons could be used to treat AD

Question 6

How can PD be treated with growth factors?

Answer 6

A pump can be placed under the skin to deliver GDNF directly to the brain. No clear clinical benefit. NRTN gene therapy has had modest clinical effect.