Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative movement disorder for which there is currently no effective therapy. Over the past several decades, there has been a considerable interest in neuroprotective therapies using trophic factors to alleviate the symptoms of PD. Neurotrophic factors (NTFs) are a class of molecules that influence a number of neuronal functions, including cell survival and axonal growth. Experimental studies in animal models suggest that members of neurotrophin family and GDNF family of ligands (GFLs) have the potent ability to protect degenerating dopamine neurons as well as promote regeneration of the nigrostriatal dopamine system. In clinical trials, although no serious adverse events related to the NTF therapy has been reported in patients, they remain inconclusive. In this chapter, we attempt to give a brief overview on several different growth factors that have been explored for use in animal models of PD and those already used in PD patients.

Neurotrophic factor therapy for Parkinson's disease.

The nerve growth factor (NGF) synthesis/secretion by cultured mouse astroglial cells was modulated by catecholamine. In quiescent cells, epinephrine (EN) and dopamine (DA) markedly increased the NGF content in the conditioned medium (CM). Conversely, EN, DA, and norepinephrine (NE) decreased the NGF content in growing cells. Cholinergic agonists, metacholine and carbamylcholine, slightly increased the NGF content in quiescent cells, but showed no effects on growing cells. Other neurotransmitters tested had no effects on either growing or quiescent cells. These results suggest that catecholamine is one of the molecules responsible for regulation of NGF synthesis/secretion in the mouse brain.

Regulation of Nerve Growth Factor Sythesis/Secretion by Catecholamine in Cultured Mouse Astroglial Cells.

Increased plasma levels of BDNF and inflammatory markers in Alzheimer's disease.

The neuroprotection of cannabidiol against MPP+-induced toxicity in PC12 cells involves trkA receptors, upregulation of axonal and synaptic proteins, neuritogenesis, and might be relevant to Parkinson's disease

Lázaro Alvarez González

Papers

Nerve growth factor levels in Parkinson disease and experimental parkinsonian rats