Data and hypotheses on the role of nerve growth factor and other neurotrophins in psychiatric disorders

Nerve growth factor (NGF) was discovered and characterized for its role on the growth, differentiation and maintenance of specific neurons of the peripheral nervous system. Subsequent studies revealed that NGF is synthesized and released within the central nervous system and exerts a trophic and functional role on basal forebrain cholinergic neurons; it is involved in a protective role following brain insults induced by an epileptic status, seizure, as well as surgical and chemical lesions. More recently our collaborative studies provided evidence that NGF is implicated in neurobehavioral response including cerebral alterations associated with psychiatric disorders. In this brief review, ongoing and emerging data are presented and discussed. (C) 2000 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.