Search results for " neurotrophic factors"

Current disease modifying approaches to treat Parkinson's disease

2015

Parkinson's disease (PD is a progressive neurological disorder characterized by the degeneration and death of midbrain dopamine and non-dopamine neurons in the brain leading to motor dysfunctions and other symptoms, which seriously influence the quality of life of PD patients. The drug L-dopa can alleviate the motor symptoms in PD, but so far there are no rational therapies targeting the underlying neurodegenerative processes. Despite intensive research, the molecular mechanisms causing neuronal loss are not fully understood which has hampered the development of new drugs and disease-modifying therapies. Neurotrophic factors are by virtue of their survival promoting activities attract candi…

Study of molecular mechanism involved in neuronal plasticity induced by magnetic stimulation in cultured hippocampal neurons

2014

Although a large number of investigations have shown that transcranial magnetic stimulation, a non-invasive method of brain stimulation with minimal side effects, is able to induce neuronal synaptic plastic change, very few studies have examined the molecular mechanisms of magnetic stimulation involved in synaptic plasticity. Since it is well known that neurotrophins and their receptors regulate synaptic strength and thereby mediate plasticity, in this study we have investigated the effects of low-frequency (1 Hz) magnetic stimulation, at different intensities, on the activation of neurotrophic factors receptors and relative intracellular pathways in primary cultures of hippocampal neurons.…

Neurotrophic systems promoting neurogenesis in the adult rat brain

2008

Nicotinic receptor agonists as neuroprotective/neurotrophic drugs. Progress in molecular mechanisms

2007

In the present work we reviewed recent advances concerning neuroprotective/neurotrophic effects of acute or chronic nicotine exposure, and the signalling pathways mediating these effects, including mechanisms implicated in nicotine addiction and nAChR desensitization. Experimental and clinical data largely indicate long-lasting effects of nicotine and nicotinic agonists that imply a neuroprotective/neurotrophic role of nAChR activation, involving mainly alpha 7 and alpha 4 beta 2 nAChR subtypes, as evidenced using selective nAChR agonists. Compounds interacting with neuronal nAChRs have the potential to be neuroprotective and treatment with nAChR agonists elicits long-lasting neurotrophic e…