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Neurotrophins: from enthusiastic expectations through sobering experiences to rational therapeutic approaches

Abstract

Despite high enthusiasm, early attempts to develop clinical treatments based on animal research with neurotrophins were not successful. Here we survey clinical trials with neurotrophins, compared with neurotrophic factors of other gene families, and delineate the most likely reasons for their failure. We then suggest improved methods for regulated local supply of NTs to specific populations of neurons and discuss future therapeutic procedures evolving from the more detailed knowledge of the signal transduction pathways activated by neurotrophins via their receptors.

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Figure 1: Neurotrophins form homodimers.

Ivelisse Robles

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank M. Korte for critical reading of the manuscript. This research was supported by the Max-Planck Society, the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft and the Hermann and Lilly Schilling Stiftung.

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Thoenen, H., Sendtner, M. Neurotrophins: from enthusiastic expectations through sobering experiences to rational therapeutic approaches. Nat Neurosci 5 (Suppl 11), 1046–1050 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/nn938

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