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Updated: May 9, 2026

Intraspinal Cell Transplantation for Targeting Cervical Ventral Horn in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury
Published on: September 18, 2011
Vascular endothelial growth factor and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: the interplay with exercise and noninvasive
Rita Carilho1, Mamede de Carvalho, Michael Swash
1Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Oeiras, Portugal.
Introduction:
We evaluated plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with reference to the effects of respiratory failure, noninvasive ventilation (NIV), and exercise.
Methods:
We studied plasma VEGF levels in 83 ALS patients, 20 healthy controls, and 10 patients with other disorders. There were 4 groups of ALS patients: G1, 27 patients without respiratory problems; G2, 14 patients stabilized on nocturnal NIV; G3, 30 patients presenting with respiratory failure; G4, 12 patients on an aerobic exercise protocol.
Results:
VEGF plasma levels did not differ significantly between ALS patients and controls, or between ALS groups. In G3, the mean VEGF levels increased 75% during NIV. In G4, the mean VEGF level increased by 300% during the exercise program. VEGF levels did not change during the course of the disease.
Conclusions:
VEGF levels in ALS depend on changes in ventilation and exercise but are probably not affected by the disease process itself.
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