Nerve Growth Factor in Pediatric Brain Injury: From Bench to Bedside

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Neurology
• Neuroscience
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) cause significant long-term neurological disability in children.
• Current treatment options for neuronal recovery are limited.
• Nerve growth factor (NGF) has emerged as a potential therapeutic agent due to its neuroprotective and neuroregenerative properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current evidence on nerve growth factor (NGF) for pediatric brain injury.
• To evaluate NGF's mechanisms of action and translational clinical applications.
• To assess NGF's potential in treating TBI and HIE in children.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature review was performed using PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane CENTRAL.
• Studies published from January 1978 to March 2025 investigating NGF in brain injury were included.
• Inclusion criteria focused on studies assessing neurological outcomes via clinical, biochemical, neuroimaging, or electrophysiological methods.

Main Results:

• Seventeen studies (preclinical and clinical) met the criteria.
• Preclinical models showed NGF reduced neuroinflammation and enhanced neurogenesis.
• Pediatric case reports indicated intranasal NGF improved motor/cognitive function with no adverse effects.

Conclusions:

• NGF shows significant promise as a neuroprotective and neuroregenerative treatment for pediatric brain injury.
• Experimental and early clinical data support NGF's safety and efficacy.
• Large-scale controlled trials are needed to confirm findings and optimize NGF treatment protocols.