Neurotrophic factors and pain
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TL;DR
Evidence that NGF is a crucial molecule in the neurobiology of pain is reviewed and new neurotrophic molecules which are structurally and functionally related to NGF have been characterized.
Abstract
During development, nerve growth factor (NGF) is a target-derived survival factor for neurones of the peripheral nervous system. Very recently, NGF has been found to have novel physiological roles in adult animals. In particular, I will review here the evidence that NGF is a crucial molecule in the neurobiology of pain. In the last few years new neurotrophic molecules which are structurally and functionally related to NGF have been characterized. Evidence that these molecules could also play a role in pain processing is also reviewed.