What are trophic factors?
Trophic factors (also neurotrophic factors or growth factors) are proteins that promote the survival, growth and function of neurons in the brain. Because the degeneration of dopamine neurons is the pathological hallmark of Parkinson’s disease, these proteins are of great interest to Parkinson’s researchers. During normal brain development, trophic factors are critical for the correct wiring of the nervous system. Trophic factors that have received significant attention in Parkinson’s research include GDNF and the closely related neurturin. Why are trophic factors important? The word “trophic” comes down to English from a Greek word meaning “to nourish.” This goes a long way toward describing what neurotrophic factors do for neurons: enhance function and prevent death. In preclinical models of Parkinson’s disease, trophic factors have been shown to promote the survival of dopamine neurons, as well as to induce these neurons’ regrowth, or sprouting. The molecular effects seen in the bra
