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Nerve growth factor and cholinergic CNS neurons studied in organotypic brain slices

Implication in Alzheimer's disease?

  • Conference paper
Ageing and Dementia Current and Future Concepts

Part of the book series: Journal of Neural Transmission. Supplementa ((NEURAL SUPPL,volume 62))

Abstract

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a potent growth factor for cholinergic neurons. The aim of the present study was to investigate if NGF affects cholinergic neurons of the basal nucleus of Meynert (nBM) in organotypic brain slices. In single nBM slices cholinergic neurons rapidly degenerated when incubated without NGF. The number of remaining neurons was rescued by NGF application at any time point. When nBM slices were co-cultured with a cortex slice the number of cholinergic neurons was significantly increased pointing to a trophic influence of the cortex. Incubation with acetylcholine precursors did not affect the survival of cholinergic neurons. There was no significant difference when postnatal day 3 or day 10nBM slices were cultured. In conclusion, NGF is the most potent growth factor for cholinergic neurons and is a promising candidate for treating Alzheimers disease, however the delivery of NGF to the brain must the solved.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Psychiatry, Department Of Psychiatry, University Hospital, Innsbruck, Austria

    Dr. C. Humpel & C. Weis

Authors
  1. Dr. C. Humpel
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  2. C. Weis
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Klinische Neurobiologie, Kenyongasse 18/7, A-1070, Wien, Austria

    Kurt A. Jellinger

  2. Universitätsklinik für Neurologie, Auenbruggerplatz 22, A-8036, Graz, Austria

    Reinhold Schmidt

  3. JWS Research Forschungslabor GmbH, Rankengasse 28, A-8020, Graz, Austria

    Manfred Windisch

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© 2002 Springer-Verlag Wien

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Humpel, C., Weis, C. (2002). Nerve growth factor and cholinergic CNS neurons studied in organotypic brain slices. In: Jellinger, K.A., Schmidt, R., Windisch, M. (eds) Ageing and Dementia Current and Future Concepts. Journal of Neural Transmission. Supplementa, vol 62. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-6139-5_23

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-6139-5_23

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Vienna

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-211-83796-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-7091-6139-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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