[Neurotrophins. II: therapeutic potential]

Neurodegenerative diseases are highly devastating disorders characterized by the damage and loss of discrete neuronal populations. Until recently, it was assumed that the ability of the central nervous system to recover from injury was extremely limited. However, many "in vitro" and "in vivo" studies have shown that neurotrophic factor are able to prevent or inhibit neuronal cell death induced by a variety of insults. Accordingly, trophic factors may represent a new tool for treating neuronal injury and death in a variety of neurodegenerative diseases. In his review, the therapeutic possibilities of neurotrophins in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are analysed.