nerve growth factor (NGF)

introduction

NGF is critical for the survival and maintenance of sympathetic and sensory neurons, without it, these neurons undergo apoptosis
causes axonal growth and branching
induces expression of VGF Nerve Growth Factor-inducible
appears to circulate the body to maintain homeostasis
NGF is abundant in seminal plasma and in some animals, induces ovulation following coitus
NGF has also been shown to play a role in number neurodegenerative conditions, psychiatric conditions, and cardiovascular diseases, such as coronary atherosclerosis, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome
- NGF levels are particularly low in manic states
upregulated in inflammation
accelerates wound healing
role in pain perception and appears to be up-regulated by PG E2 in patients with endometriosis causing increased pain perception and inflammation
appears to be elevated in people in the 1st few months when they fall in love
NGF genes may predict treatment outcome to cognitive behavioural therapy
acts via binding to:
- TrkA cell wall receptor
- p75 LNGFR (for “low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor”)
  - involved in apoptosis