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Nerve Growth Factor, Stress and Diseases.
Flavio Maria Ceci1, Giampiero Ferraguti1, Carla Petrella2
1Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
Current Medicinal Chemistry
|August 20, 2020
Summary
Stress impacts homeostasis, activating adaptive systems. Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) plays a key role in stress responses, influencing mental and metabolic disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Stressors disrupt homeostasis, triggering adaptive responses.
- Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) is crucial for neuronal survival and function.
- NGF levels fluctuate with stress, linking environmental stimuli to physiological feedback.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent research on NGF's role in stress-related mental and metabolic disorders.
- To explore how NGF mediates the physiological and pathological consequences of stress.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent scientific works.
- Analysis of studies investigating NGF in the context of stress.
Main Results:
- Psychological, lifestyle, and oxidative stress increase the risk of mental disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, alcohol use disorder).
- These stress types are also linked to metabolic disorders like metabolic syndrome.
- NGF activity is implicated in the pathophysiology of these stress-related conditions.
Conclusions:
- NGF is a significant mediator in the body's response to stress.
- Understanding NGF's role is vital for addressing mental and metabolic disorders exacerbated by stress.
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