Open AccessBrain Nerve Growth Factor Unbalance Induced by Anabolic Androgenic Steroids in Rats
Author(s) -
Stefano Pieretti,
Marica Mastriota,
Paolo Tucci,
Giuseppe Battaglia,
Luigia Trabace,
Ferdinando Nicoletti,
Sergio Scaccianoce
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
medicine and science in sports and exercise
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.703
H-Index - 224
eISSN - 1530-0315
pISSN - 0195-9131
DOI - 10.1249/mss.0b013e31826c60ea
Subject(s) - basal forebrain , nerve growth factor , choline acetyltransferase , medicine , endocrinology , cholinergic neuron , hippocampus , morris water navigation task , forebrain , neurotrophic factors , brain derived neurotrophic factor , tropomyosin receptor kinase a , psychology , cholinergic , receptor , central nervous system
Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are synthetic androgen-like compounds that are abused in sport communities despite their adverse effects. Nerve growth factor (NGF) influences neuronal differentiation and survival, and it also mediates higher brain functions such as learning and memory. Changes in NGF expression have been implicated in neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer disease. Hence, we decided to study the effect of chronic AAS exposure on brain NGF profile, NGF-dependent cholinergic function, and related behavioral performance.