Rationale for the planned clinical trials with nerve growth factor in Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract

A large number of experimental studies on animals suggest that intraventricular administration of NGF to Alzheimer patients may attenuate the degeneration of cholinergic neurons and the behavioral consequences associated with the cholinergic deficits. Based on these findings clinical trials with NGF seem justified, if potential detrimental effects are ruled out. Once NGF administration is proven effective it will be possible to develop alternative ways of NGF administration.