Prenatal drinking, environmental enrichment: effects on neurotrophins are independent of each other Jul 19, 2008
"Neurotrophins also play important roles in learning and memory, and contribute to the repair of the brain following injury or stress. We chose to examine three nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) because previous research had shown that prenatal alcohol exposure alters their levels in the brain, and that treatment of other types of brain injury with NGF or BDNF can be beneficial." ... Levels of NGF, NT-3 and BDNF were then measured... (EurekAlert!)
Limitations in assessing nerve growth factor levels in aqueous humor samples from human eyes Jun 6, 2008
Nerve growth factor (NGF) helps in the healing and survival of ganglion cells, photoreceptors, and optic nerve after injury and has been implicated to have a role in pathophysiology of glaucoma. So far, in animal studies, injury to iris in vitro has revealed an increase in NGF levels in aqueous ... There is a great interest in investigating the levels of NGF in human aqueous in glaucomatous eyes, as suggested by animal studies, to gain a better understanding of the pathophysiology of glaucoma. (BioMed Central)
Killer competition: Neurons duke it out for survival May 7, 2008
Target tissues innervated by so-called peripheral neurons coax nerves to grow toward them by releasing nerve growth factor protein, or NGF. Once the nerve reaches its target, NGF changes from a growth cue to a survival factor. In fact, when some populations of nerve cells are deprived of NGF they die ... To further investigate how this NGF-dependent survival effect works the researchers looked for genes that are turned on by NGF in developing nerve cells. (EurekAlert!)
Family Of Liver Cancer Genes Discovered Mar 1, 2008
19, 2007) Nerve growth factor (NGF), as the name says, is an essential peptide factor for the growth and differentiation of neuronal cells. Therefore we can imagine that this growth factor is important for the. (Science Daily)
Scientists Shed Light On Long-distance Signaling In Developing Neurons Feb 23, 2008
In recent years, scientists discovered that as the axon reaches its target which may be many centimeters away from the nucleus it senses a signal called nerve growth factor (NGF), which is made by target tissues ... "But the axons that correctly navigate to their destinations detect NGF which 'says' to the neuron 'No, you've made it, you can survive.' In these rarer cases, the neuron lives to become part of the nervous system." ... The team next used cutting-edge fluorescent technology to track... (Science Daily)
Sex chemistry 'lasts two years' Feb 11, 2008
Similar research conducted by Enzo Emanuele at the University of Pavia found that levels of a chemical messenger called nerve growth factor (NGF) increased with romantic intensity. After one to two years, NGF levels had reduced to normal. (BBC News)
Proteomic Profiling Shown More Accurate Than Traditional Biomarkers In Identifying Liver Cancer Jan 17, 2008
16, 2008) As the incidence of liver cancer continues to grow-- fueled in large part, by rising rates of hepatitis C infections -- so too does the need for tests to help diagnose the disease at an earlier stage. A study appearing in the January 15 issue of Clinical Cancer Research demonstrates that a novel mass-spectrometry based form of proteomic profiling is more accurate than traditional biomarkers in distinguishing liver cancer patients from patients with hepatitis C liver cirrhosis,... (Science Daily)
Gene Variation May Elevate Risk Of Liver Tumor In Patients With Cirrhosis Jan 3, 2008
19, 2007) Nerve growth factor (NGF), as the name says, is an essential peptide factor for the growth and differentiation of neuronal cells ... 11, 2007) Biologists have published a surprising discovery that NGF and its receptor were aberrantly expressed in the liver of the patients troubled with liver cirrhosis and/or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). (Science Daily)
Mutation May Cause Inherited Neuropathy Dec 29, 2007
25, 1998) Implants to deliver nerve growth factor (NGF) to nerve cells in the brain were described here today (Aug ... 3, 1997) For the first time, scientists have shown through genetic studies in adult mice that depletion of the protein nerve growth factor (NGF) causes a decline in learning and memory, mimicking a major. (Science Daily)
Natural protein 'heals the heart' Nov 18, 2007
Nerve growth factor (NGF) was thought to act only on nerve cells in the body, but mounting evidence suggests it acts on heart muscle cells too. A Bristol Heart Institute team tested NGF in rats and this had promising results, Cell Death and Differentiation journal reports ... Dr Costanza Emanueli and her colleagues found that injecting the gene for NGF into the hearts of rats having a heart attack stopped heart cells dying off. (BBC News -- UK)
Chemical Compound Found In Tree Bark Stimulates Growth, Survival Of Brain Cells Oct 6, 2007
The tree bark compound, known as gambogic amide, behaves much like Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), a molecule found in the brain. NGF binds to TrkA, a neuronal receptor, and activates neuronal signaling ... "Humans actually have a naturally occurring molecule in the body, Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), which stimulates the growth and differentiation of certain types of nerve cells. However, NGF has poor pharmocokinetics and bioavailability when synthetically manufactured and used therapeutically, and it... (Science Daily)
Natural Protein Could Help Spot, Treat Liver Cancer Sep 20, 2007
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 19 (HealthDay News) -- A natural protein called nerve growth factor (NGF) may prove an effective target for the treatment of liver cancer, Italian researchers say. NGF is an essential component in the growth and differentiation of neuronal cells, explained the team, who reported their findings in the Oct. 7 issue of the World Journal of Gastroenterology ... This study found that NGF also appears to be a factor in liver cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer death worldwide.... (Health-Finder)
Targeting Nerve Growth Factor May Cure Liver Cancer, Study Suggests Sep 11, 2007
Nerve growth factor (NGF), as the name says, is an essential peptide factor for the growth and differentiation of neuronal cells ... But a recent scientific report published in the October 7 issue of the World Journal of Gastroenterology tells us another surprising and exciting discovery about this growth factor: NGF is positively related with liver cancer, the No.2 killer among all kinds of cancers in the world ... With many beautiful pictures of immunohistology, these scientists showed that... (Science Daily)
MediciNova Announces First Quarter 2007 Financial Results May 11, 2007
MN-166 inhibits leukotriene activity, phosphodiesterase 4, 10, 11 and glial nitric oxide synthesis, all inflammatory mechanisms known to be involved in MS. MN-166 may also suppress the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-6) and may enhance the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10) and neurotrophic factors (NGF, GDNF, NT-4). Recently, MN-166 was found to have positive effects in the first year of a two-year randomized, double-blind,... (Primezone Releases)
Raptor Pharmaceuticals Corp. Announces Fiscal 2007 Second Quarter Results, Updates Programs and Appoints Investor Relations Firm Apr 16, 2007
The Company continues to work with Dr. William Mobley's neuroscience laboratory at Stanford University, which has expertise in the study of neurotrophic factors, particularly Nerve Growth Factor (NGF). The laboratory at Stanford is testing engineered RAP peptides, which we call NeuroTrans(TM), in cell culture and preclinical models for their ability to enhance the transport of molecules from blood to the brain. (Canada Newswire)
Angels in the air Mar 1, 2007
The pilots all have photo IDs that they wear and file flight plans that begin with the letters "NGF." This lets air traffic controllers know that this is an Angel Flight. Ray and Lorraine Judd of Huddleston note that Angel Flights get priority handling if they face a long line at an airport. (Bedford Bulletin, VA)
Professor Uses Tai Chi To Fight Degenerative Nerve Disease Jan 25, 2007
(August 25, 1998) -- Implants to deliver nerve growth factor (NGF) to nerve cells in the brain were described here today (Aug ... (October 3, 1997) -- For the first time, scientists have shown through genetic studies in adult mice that depletion of the protein nerve growth factor (NGF) causes a decline in learning and memory, mimicking a major. (Science Daily)
Foundation donates 12 million cedis to hole-in-heart patients Dec 9, 2006
Accra, Dec. 8, GNA - Narrow Gate Foundation (NGF), a Ghanaian-based charity organization, on Friday donated 12 million cedis towards surgical operation on seven children diagnosed with Hole-in-Heart ... Mrs Mavis Dowuona, President of NGF, noted that the Organization was moved by the plight of the kids and the passion to give them a second chance to life ... Mrs Dowuona said NGF was established as a family charity organization to help to provide a safety net for needy people of all types, adding... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Cats Can Succumb To Feline Alzheimer's Disease, Study Shows Dec 7, 2006
Aging cats can develop a feline form of Alzheimer's disease, a new study reveals. Scientists at the Universities of Edinburgh, St Andrews, Bristol and California have identified a key protein which can build up in the nerve cells of a cat's brain and cause mental deterioration. (Science Daily)
Defects In Crucial Brain Protein Implicated In Memory Loss Sep 12, 2006
(October 3, 1997) -- For the first time, scientists have shown through genetic studies in adult mice that depletion of the protein nerve growth factor (NGF) causes a decline in learning and memory, mimicking a major. . (Science Daily)
Study Provides New Insights Into Brain Organization Aug 22, 2006
(August 25, 1998) -- Implants to deliver nerve growth factor (NGF) to nerve cells in the brain were described here today (Aug ... An award-winning psychologist exposes traditional wisdom to the scrutiny of science to show why ancient insights still help us live more meaningful-and healthy-lives Your grandmother was smarter. (Science Daily)
Alzheimer's Medication Shows Promise In Treating Nerve Agent And Pesticide Poisoning Aug 10, 2006
(August 25, 1998) -- Implants to deliver nerve growth factor (NGF) to nerve cells in the brain were described here today (Aug. 23) at a national meeting of the American Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific. (Science Daily)
Raptor Pharmaceuticals Corp. Announces Research Collaboration With Stanford University on the Use of NeuroTrans(TM) to Deliver Therapeutics Across the Blood-Brain Barrier Aug 1, 2006
"The ability to deliver potential therapeutic compounds across the blood-brain barrier would be an exciting medical advance in our treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. We look forward to testing Raptor's approach to the delivery of therapeutic proteins, such as Nerve Growth Factor or NGF, to the brain." About Raptor Raptor Pharmaceuticals Corp. owns 100% of Raptor Pharmaceutical Inc., an early stage biotechnology research and development company which bioengineers novel drugs and... (Canada Newswire)
Cause Of Neuronal Death In Down's Syndrome, Alzheimer's Disease Could Be Surprisingly Simple Jul 11, 2006
Salehi et al. find that an increase in the expression of only one gene, for amyloid precursor protein (APP), disrupts transport of the neurotrophin "nerve growth factor" (NGF) ... Salehi et al. found that the NGF transport disruption leads to the degeneration of "basal forebrain cholinergic neurons" (BFCNs) important for cognitive function ... In their experiments, Salehi and colleagues found decreased NGF transport within the forebrain neurons in the fully trisomic mouse, but not the ones... (Science Daily)
Down syndrome traced to one gene Jul 7, 2006
In these mouse models of Down syndrome, the ability of cholinergic neurons of the basal forebrain to transport neural growth factor (NGF), a neurotrophin, from the axon to the cell body was only about 10% of that of normal mice. Deprived of the retrograde transport of NGF, the cholinergic neurons in the trisomic mice show significant atrophy, the researchers report ... To show that the APP gene was the chief culprit, Mobley's team deleted the extra copy of it in trisomic mice, and this restored... (The Scientist)
New Down Syndrome Gene Identified By Stanford/Packard Scientists Jul 7, 2006
The target cell fires back such molecules as nerve growth factor, or NGF. The NGF is engulfed by the membrane of the instigator cell and is shuttled to the cell body in a process called retrograde transport ... Salehi, Mobley and their colleagues used a mouse model of Down syndrome to follow NGF s journey from the membrane to the cell body of the signaling cell ... They found that although NGF retrograde transport was severely compromised in this mouse, it was markedly increased when the third... (Science Daily)
Pfizer to Expand Neuroscience Research With Acquisition of Biotech Company Rinat Neuroscience Apr 7, 2006
RN624 inhibits nerve growth factor (NGF) which may play a role in reducing chronic pain without side effects common in similar therapies. Rinat is also developing RN1219 for the potential treatment of Alzheimer's disease. (PR Newswire)
BioXell, Lay Line Genomics Sign Pain Antibody Deal Feb 13, 2006
MNAC13 is a fully humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to TrkA receptors, blocking the action of NGF, a key mediator in acute and chronic pain. BioXell is a private biopharmaceutical company focusing on the discovery and development of new treatments for urological and inflammatory disorders that represent large, currently underserved markets. (Nasdaq -- News)
Intuitive Surgical, Inc. to Join the NASDAQ-100 Index Beginning February 1, 2006 Jan 25, 2006
The sponsor of the NASDAQ-100 Trust, a unit investment trust, is NASDAQ Global Funds, Inc. ("NGF"), a wholly owned subsidiary of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. ("NASDAQ," and collectively with its affiliates except NGF, the "Corporations") ... "NASDAQ" and related marks are trademarks or service marks of NASDAQ and have been licensed for use for certain purposes by NGF. The NASDAQ-100 Index is comprised and calculated by NASDAQ without regard to the NASDAQ-100 Index Tracking Stock ... The... (PR Newswire)
Love, Just Another One of Nature's Tricks Jan 15, 2006
Quite the contrary, it seems that this noble feeling, sung by poets and writers, is nothing more than the chemical effect of the NGF molecule (nerve growth factor), whose quantity varies. When the man and woman are in love, the quantity of NGF is high and it progressively decreases in time. (Softpedia)
