Open AccessNerve Growth Factor in Alcohol Use Disorders
Author(s) -
Flavio Maria Ceci,
Giampiero Ferraguti,
Carla Petrella,
Antonio Greco,
Massimo Ralli,
Angela Iannitelli,
Valentina Carito,
Paola Tirassa,
George N. Chaldakov,
Marisa Patrizia Messina,
Mauro Ceccanti,
M. Fiore
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
current neuropharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.955
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1875-6190
pISSN - 1570-159X
DOI - 10.2174/1570159x18666200429003239
Subject(s) - nerve growth factor , tropomyosin receptor kinase a , neurotrophin , neurotrophic factors , binge drinking , medicine , low affinity nerve growth factor receptor , endocrine system , receptor , pregnancy , tropomyosin receptor kinase b , growth factor , neuroscience , endocrinology , psychology , biology , hormone , poison control , environmental health , genetics , injury prevention
The nerve growth factor (NGF) belongs to the family of neurotrophic factors. Initially discovered as a signaling molecule involved in the survival, protection, differentiation, and proliferation of sympathetic and peripheral sensory neurons, it also participates in the regulation of the immune system and endocrine system. NGF biological activity is due to the binding of two classes of receptors: the tropomyosin-related kinase A (TrkA) and the low-affinity NGF pan-neurotrophin receptor p75. Alcohol Use Disorders (AUD) are one of the most frequent mental disorders in developed countries, characterized by heavy drinking, despite the negative effects of alcohol on brain development and cognitive functions that cause individual's work, medical, legal, educational, and social life problems. In addition, alcohol consumption during pregnancy disrupts the development of the fetal brain causing a wide range of neurobehavioral outcomes collectively known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). The rationale of this review is to describe crucial findings on the role of NGF in humans and animals, when exposed to prenatal, chronic alcohol consumption, and on binge drinking.