Brain-derived growth factor and nerve growth factor concentrations are decreased in the substantia nigra in Parkinson's disease

Using highly sensitive sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), we measured for the first time the concentrations of brain-derived growth factor (BDNF) in the brain (substantia nigra, caudate nucleus, putamen, cer ebellum, and frontal cortex) from control and parkinsonian patients. BDNF i n the human brain (the order of ng/mg protein) was significantly lower spec ifically in the nigrostriatal dopamine (DA) regions from parkinsonian patie nts than in those from control patients. The concentration of nerve growth factor (NGF) was also significantly decreased in the substantia nigra of pa rkinsonian patients in comparison with that in the controls. Since BDNF and NGF may play important roles in survival and differentiation of neuronal c ells, the present data indicate that the lack of neurotrophins, especially BDNF, may be involved in the pathogenesis of PD during progress of neurodeg eneration of the nigrostriatal DA neurons. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Irelan d Ltd. All rights reserved.