Changes in plasma nerve growth factor levels in older adults associated with chronic stress

Evidence indicates that the actions of nerve growth factor (NGF) reach beyo nd the nervous system and might modulate immune function. Based on reports that blood NGF rises following the acute stress of parachute jumping, we in vestigated whether exposure to a chronic stressor, caregiving for a cogniti vely impaired spouse, could alter the levels of blood NGF. High perceived s tress and depression in caregivers (vs. well-matched controls) were associa ted with elevated blood NGF. These data suggest that exposure to this chron ic stressor can alter the concentrations of circulating NGF, and that psych ological stress can induce changes in NGF concentrations in order adults. ( C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.