Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 26, 2026

Analyzing Murine Schwann Cell Development Along Growing Axons
09:46

Analyzing Murine Schwann Cell Development Along Growing Axons

Published on: November 21, 2012

Nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in human paediatric hemimegalencephaly

A Antonelli1, A Chiaretti, T Amendola

  • 1Institute of Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine, Neurobiology Section CNR, Rome, Italy.

Neuropediatrics
|March 6, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Paediatric hemimegalencephaly (HME) involves brain enlargement and seizures. Studies show elevated nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in HME infants, suggesting a role in this rare neurological disorder.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology
  • Pediatric Neurology

Background:

  • Paediatric hemimegalencephaly (HME) is a congenital brain malformation.
  • HME is characterized by unilateral cerebral hemisphere enlargement, intractable seizures, and intellectual disability.
  • Neuropathological findings include cortical thickening and disrupted lamination.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of neurotrophic factors in paediatric hemimegalencephaly (HME).
  • To examine the levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in HME patients.
  • To explore potential associations between neurotrophic factors and HME pathogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of cerebral tissue samples from infants diagnosed with HME.
  • Measurement of NGF and BDNF levels using biochemical assays.
  • Assessment of NGF-receptor expression and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) immunoreactivity in cortical and vascular tissues.

Main Results:

  • Elevated cerebral tissue levels of NGF and BDNF were observed in infants with HME.
  • Abnormal NGF-receptor expression was noted in the subcortical blood vessels of HME patients.
  • A significant reduction in cortical choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) immunoreactivity suggests dysregulated NGF activity.

Conclusions:

  • Increased NGF and BDNF levels may play a role in the pathogenesis of paediatric hemimegalencephaly (HME).
  • Aberrant NGF signaling, indicated by receptor expression and ChAT levels, could contribute to HME development.
  • These findings highlight potential therapeutic targets for HME, focusing on neurotrophic factor pathways.

More Related Videos

Rapid Detection of Neurodevelopmental Phenotypes in Human Neural Precursor Cells (NPCs)10:47

Rapid Detection of Neurodevelopmental Phenotypes in Human Neural Precursor Cells (NPCs)

Published on: March 2, 2018

Real-time Imaging of Axonal Transport of Quantum Dot-labeled BDNF in Primary Neurons10:53

Real-time Imaging of Axonal Transport of Quantum Dot-labeled BDNF in Primary Neurons

Published on: September 15, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue01:15

Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue

In the CNS, neurogenesis, the birth of new neurons from stem cells, is limited to the hippocampus in adults. In other regions of the brain and spinal cord, neurogenesis is almost non-existent due to inhibitory influences from neuroglia, especially oligodendrocytes, and the absence of growth-stimulating cues. The myelin produced by oligodendrocytes in the CNS inhibits neuronal regeneration. Furthermore, astrocytes proliferate rapidly after neuronal damage, forming scar tissue that physically...
Enzyme-linked Receptors01:00

Enzyme-linked Receptors

Enzyme-linked receptors are proteins that act as both receptor and enzyme, activating multiple intracellular signals. This is a large group of receptors that include the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) family. Many growth factors and hormones bind to and activate the RTKs.
Neurotrophin (NT) receptors are a family of RTKs, including trkA, trkB, and trkC (tropomyosin-related kinase) receptors. TrkA is specific for nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin-6, and neurotrophin-7. TrkB binds...