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Neurotrophic Factors in Aging

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Encyclopedia of Geropsychology

Definition

Neurotrophic factors (NFs) are polypeptides involved in the maintenance and adequate function of neurons and neuron-supporting cells. Mechanisms underlying NFs signaling may fail during neuronal repair and aging, resulting in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) (Lanni et al. 2010).

Introduction

Neurotrophic factors (NFs) are a group of soluble polypeptides with a range of functions in nervous system development and maintenance, and survival of neurons and neuron-supporting cells.

NFs are divided into different families according to structure and function: (i) neurotrophins (NTs): nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), NT-3, and NT-4; (ii) transforming growth factor (TGF)-β superfamily which includes the glial-cell-line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF); (iii) neurokine superfamily comprising ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-11, among others; and (iv) nonneuronal...

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratório Interdisciplinar de Investigação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Prof. Alfredo Balena, 190, Sala 281, 30130-100, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil

    Natália Pessoa Rocha & Antônio Lúcio Teixeira

Authors
  1. Natália Pessoa Rocha
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  2. Antônio Lúcio Teixeira
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Correspondence to Natália Pessoa Rocha .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    Nancy A. Pachana

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Rocha, N.P., Teixeira, A.L. (2017). Neurotrophic Factors in Aging. In: Pachana, N.A. (eds) Encyclopedia of Geropsychology. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-287-082-7_263

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