Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2017, Vol. 12 ›› Issue (4): 549-557.doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.205084

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 Neurotrophic factors in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases: implications for pathogenesis and therapy

Tuane Bazanella Sampaio1, 2, Anne Suely Savall2, Maria Eduarda Ziani Gutierrez2, Simone Pinton2   

  1. 1 Departamento de Farmacologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil; 2 Universidade Federal do Pampa - Campus Uruguaiana, Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil
  • Received:2017-03-19 Online:2017-04-15 Published:2017-04-15
  • Contact: Simone Pinton, Ph.D.,sipinton@gmail.com.
  • Supported by:

    Work in the author’s laboratories is supported by the Brazilian agencies: Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico(CNPq), Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), Programa de Apoio aos Núcleos de Excelência (PRONEX), Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (FAPERGS), Fundação de Apoio à Pesquisa do Estado de Santa Catarina (FAPESC), FINEP (Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos) and INCT (Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia).

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Abstract:

Neurotrophic factors comprise essential secreted proteins that have several functions in neural and non-neural tissues, mediating the development, survival and maintenance of peripheral and central nervous system. Therefore, neurotrophic factor issue has been extensively investigated into the context of neurodegenerative diseases. Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease show changes in the regulation of specific neurotrophic factors and their receptors, which appear to be critical for neuronal degeneration. Indeed, neurotrophic factors prevent cell death in degenerative processes and can enhance the growth and function of affected neurons in these disorders. Based on recent reports, this review discusses the main findings related to the neurotrophic factor support – mainly brain-derived neurotrophic factor and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor – in the survival, proliferation and maturation of affected neurons in Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease as well as their putative application as new therapeutic approach for these diseases management.

Key words: BDNF, CDNF, GDNF, NGF, neurodegenerative diseases, treatment