Peripheral Levels of BDNF and NGF in Primary Headaches

Cephalalgia ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 136-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Blandini ◽  
L Rinaldi ◽  
C Tassorelli ◽  
G Sances ◽  
M Motta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nerve Growth Factor ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Cluster Headache ◽  
Healthy Volunteers ◽  
Neurotrophic Factor ◽  
Plasma Levels ◽  
Selective Reduction ◽  
Primary Headaches ◽  
Different Types ◽  
First Time

Neurotrophins, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF), have been implicated in the generation and modulation of pain. To investigate whether alterations in neurotrophin levels can be detected in subjects suffering from nociceptive disorders, such as primary headaches, we determined the peripheral (platelet and plasma) levels of BDNF and NGF in patients suffering from migraine, with or without aura, or cluster headache (CH), in the interictal phase, and in healthy volunteers. All primary headaches patients studied showed significantly decreased platelet levels of BDNF (migraine vs. controls P < 0.001; CH vs. controls P < 0.01), while a selective reduction of platelet NGF was observed in migraine sufferers and not in CH patients compared with control subjects (migraine vs. controls P < 0.001). These changes were not accompanied by significant modifications of neurotrophin plasma levels. Our findings show for the first time that changes in peripheral levels of neurotrophines (BDNF and NGF) occur in patients suffering from different types of primary headaches, suggesting a potential involvement of BDNF and NGF in the pathophysiology of these disorders, and raising the possibility that differences in peripheral neurotrophins may help to distinguish migraine biologically from CH.

scholarly journals The effects of fasting during Ramadan on the concentration of serotonin, dopamine, brainderived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdolhossein Bastani ◽  
Sadegh Rajabi ◽  
Fatemeh Kianimarkani
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Nerve Growth Factor ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Neurotrophic Factors ◽  
Neurotrophic Factor ◽  
Plasma Levels ◽  
Oxygen Radical ◽  
Elisa Method ◽  
Nerve Growth

Neurotransmitters and neurotrophic factors are signaling molecules that play a crucial role in cell proliferation, differentiation, survival and functions of neurons. It is believed that caloric restriction could help the health of the nervous system by affecting the synthesis of neurotrophins and neurotransmitter and oxygen radical metabolism. The objective was to investigate the plasma levels of serotonin, dopamine, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and nerve growth factor (NGF) in 29 healthy fasted subjects (22 women and 7 men) during the month of fasting in Ramadan. The levels of these factors were measured (using ELISA method) three times, 2 days before the fasting month as a control, on the 14th and 29th day of Ramadan as test groups. In addition, these factors were investigated in the group of women only. According to our investigation, the plasma levels of serotonin, BDNF and NGF were significantly increased during fasting month of Ramadan. In detail, the levels of these factors were increased in 14th and 29th day test groups compared to controls (P&lt;0.05). Moreover, these levels were significantly increased on the 29th day compared to the 14th day test groups, but there were no differences between dopamine levels in all groups. Furthermore, the results obtained in women’s groups were the same as those obtained in previous groups. Our findings suggest that plasma levels of serotonin, BDNF and NGF were significantly increased during fasting month of Ramadan.

scholarly journals Watching Neurons Hand Off Molecules

2002 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-34
Author(s):  
Stephen W. Carmichael
Keyword(s):  
Nerve Growth Factor ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Neurotrophic Factors ◽  
Neurotrophic Factor ◽  
Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Nerve Growth ◽  
Hand Off ◽  
Presynaptic Neurons

Since the discovery of nerve growth factor, it has been thought that neurotrophic factors are released or secreted from target cells. However, more recently it has been suggested that a specific neurotrophic factor known as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may reach target cells directly from pre-synaptic axons. It has not been known how these molecules get from the neuron in which they are produced to the target cells. Keigo Kohara, Akihiko Kitamura, Mieko Morishima, and Tadaharu Tsumoto have demonstrated that BDNF is transported anterogradely from presynaptic neurons to target neurons.

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