Growth factors and their receptors

Growth factors play critical roles in the growth and maintenance of the nervous system. Their robust survival and functional capacities make them the “powerhouse” in both physiological and pathological processes in the peripheral and central nervous systems. Indeed, it has been proposed that the aberration in the expressions of the growth factors played significant roles in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric disorders, which makes them ideal therapeutic options. Despite the great interest in employing growth factors to prevent and/or mitigate the neurodegeneration and atrophy observed in experiments on these diseases, considerable challenges remain. Therefore, this chapter examines the role of growth factor members that bind to receptor tyrosine kinase and their partaking in neurodegeneration and provides roadmaps for future translational research.