Abstract
Synapse loss and cell death are the final common pathways of cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease. Neurotrophic factors are substances naturally produced in the nervous system that support neuronal survival during development and support neuronal function throughout adulthood. Notably, in animal models, including primates, neurotrophic factors can also prevent neuronal death after injury and can reverse spontaneous neuronal atrophy in aging. Thus, neurotrophic factor therapy has substantial potential as a means of preventing cell loss in disorders such as AD. The main challenge in clinical testing of these growth factors has been their delivery to the brain in sufficient doses to affect cell function. In this chapter the therapeutic potential of growth factors has been reviewed, as well as a clinical trial of growth factor gene therapy in AD, which currently is in progress.
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Tuszynski, M.H. (2004). Neurotrophic Factors for Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease. In: Richter, R.W., Richter, B.Z. (eds) Alzheimer’s Disease. Current Clinical Neurology. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-661-4_28
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-661-4_28
Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ
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