Neutrophic factors

Más información sobre el libro

The pharmacology of neurotrophic factors is a key aspect of neuroprotection and neurodegeneration, a research area that has developed over the past two decades. This field has uncovered molecular mechanisms that influence the morphological plasticity of the nervous system, leading to innovative pharmacological strategies to address disease states. The emerging structural neuropharmacology aims to manipulate the anatomical features of the nervous system, akin to hardware adjustments in computer systems. In contrast, classical neuropharmacology focused on modifying the function of existing synapses or ion channels, similar to software modifications in computing. Currently, the pharmacology of neurotrophic factors is in its infancy, with no major drugs developed yet. However, promising clinical trials have begun in the last two years, with more ongoing, suggesting rapid progress ahead. The identification of nerve growth factor (NGF), the first protein known to support the survival and growth of nerve cells, paved the way for discovering a family of related proteins known as neurotrophins and their receptors. This understanding has been expanded to include various protein families that fit the functional definition of neurotrophic factors, which are crucial for regulating the survival and differentiation of neurons.