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Neuropediatrics 2004; 35(1): 39-44
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-815790
Original Article

Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Nerve Growth Factor and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Human Paediatric Hemimegalencephaly

A. Antonelli 1 , A. Chiaretti 2 , T. Amendola 1 , M. Piastra 2 , C. Di Rocco 3 , L. Aloe 1
  • 1Institute of Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine, Neurobiology Section CNR, Rome, Italy
  • 2Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
  • 3Department of Paediatric Neurosurgery, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
Further Information

Publication History

Received: June 13, 2003

Accepted after Revision: November 23, 2003

Publication Date:
04 March 2004 (online)

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Abstract

Paediatric hemimegalencephaly (HME) is a congenital central nervous system (CNS) disorder, characterized by monolateral cerebral hemisphere enlargement, intractable seizures starting in the post-neonatal period, and mental retardation associated with neuropathological anomalies (mainly cortical thickness and lack of lamination). Nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are two neurotrophic factors produced in the mammalian CNS that are involved in the survival, development, and function of a variety of brain cells. In the present study, we found increased cerebral tissue levels of NGF and BDNF in 4 infants with HME; these changes appear to be also associated with abnormal NGF-receptor expression in subcortical blood vessels. Moreover, the marked reduction of cortical choline acetyltransferase immunoreactivity is strongly suggestive of a dysregulation in the NGF differentiative activity in this site that could lead to the pathogenesis of HME.

Key words

Hemimegalencephaly - NGF - BDNF - choline acetyltransferase - NGF-receptors

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Dr. L. Aloe

Institute of Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine
Section of Neurobiology CNR

Viale Marx 15/43

00137 Rome

Italy

Email: aloe@in.rm.cnr.it

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