Nerve growth factor and neurological illnesses

Introduction. The effect of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) within and outside the nervous system have been amply discussed in recent decades. Recently clinical studies have shown the effectiveness of this growth factor in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. This clinical use makes it necessary to have sensitive, specific methods available to permit measurement of the level of this protein and to determine how it behaves during the course of treatment. Objective. To describe the measurement of NGF levels in human serum using an immunoenzymatic method and evaluating the levels of this protein in some neurological disorders. Material and methods. NGF levels were measured in the serum of healthy persons and in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS) and Huntington's chorea (HC) using a double site immune-enzymatic assay. Murine 27/21 anti-beta-NGF monoclonal antibody was used as the antibody to cover the plate and as conjugate. Results. Adding a block pass to the method, in which the sample was incubated with an excess of 27/21 antibody effectively reduced the signal observed in the immuno-enzymatic assay. A moderate reduction in beta-NGF levels was seen in the serum of patients with ALS and MS. There was a statistically significant reduction in the patients who were carriers of PD and HC. Conclusions. The significant reduction in NGF levels in patients with PD and HC may be associated with a disorder in the use of this protein in central and peripheral tissues.