[Neurotrophic and growth factors of the brain: regulatory specificity and therapeutic potential]

Neurotrophic and growth factors are major subgroups of polypeptides that are synthesized naturally and characterized by the following effects: neuronal differentiation, survey of nerve cell functional integrity, protection against degeneration and lesions, which maintain nerve cells alive. Neurotrophic and growth factors increase the resistance of neuronal tissue to the noxious influence such as hypoxia, exitotoxicity, trauma, stress injury, hypoglycemia, etc. Neurotrophic and growth factors are important in the synaptic plastivcity, activity of learning and cognitive proecesses, regulation of depressive and anxiogenic states. Analysis of clinical and experimental data suggested tha main role of neurotrophins and growth factors in the pathogenesis of ischemic and neurodegenerative brain processes. Some factors are considered as specific markers or targets for concrete diseases; but for any other factors the protective function and therapeutically opportunity for treatment of some pathologies have been revealed. There is some evidence for antiapoptic effects of neurotrophic and growth factors as a basic principle for their neuroprotective function.