The pharmacological potential of neurotrophins: a perspective

Until recently nerve growth factor (NGF) was the only widely characterized neurotrophic factor which had been shown both in vitro and in vivo to be essential for the survival of selected populations of neurons during development and to be important for maintenance of the differentiated phenotype of mature neurons. The recent cloning of new members of the NGF family, namely brain-derived neurotrophic factor neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), NT-4 and NT-5, has greatly expanded our knowledge of the structural properties and neurotrophic activities of these proteins. Elucidation of their developmental and topographical expression and associated receptors in both the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system is proceeding at a brisk pace, leading to proposals for a potential pharmacological use of these proteins. This possibility will ultimately rely upon a more complete understanding of the roles of these trophic factors in human nervous system physiology and pathology.