On the functional role of polypeptide growth factors in rodent neurobehavioral development

A number of polypeptide growth factor molecules have been discovered and characterized in the recent years. Most of them appear to play important roles in the ontogeny of both vertebrates and invertebrates, and some growth factors are specifically involved in brain development of altricial mammals such as rats and mice. In particular, Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) seems to be involved in degenerative processes of the aged CNS and to control brain development, particularly cholinergic systems. Data concerning NGF effects on neurobehavioral development of neonatal mice are reported, and compared with the specific alterations caused by neonatal Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) exposure on a number of physical and behavioral scores. While NGF mainly anticipated behavioral development, EGF exerted both growth-promoting and growth-inhibiting effects.