Degenerazione e rigenerazione nel sistema nervoso centrale: rilevanza dei fattori trofici e della trasmissione neuronale colinergica nel trofismo del sistema nervoso centrale.

Contrary to a diffuse belief lasting until the end of the past century, recent data demonstrate that even the mammalian central nervous system possesses regenerative capabilities. The recovery that follows neuronal lesions could be morphological and/or functional. In both cases, the recovery is dependent on chemical signals (i.e., trophic factors and neurotransmitters) that influence neuronal cell survival and capability of producing structural changes. The synthesis and release of these chemical signals could be modulated by drugs acting on glial and neuronal systems. We showed that it is possible to maintain, at least in part, the anatomo-functional integrity of damaged brain areas by modulating polyamine synthesis. These molecules are synthesized in neurons belonging to damaged areas and can stimulate astroglial reactivity upon their release, leading to astrocyte hypertrophy and hyperplasia and neurotrophic factor synthesis. Trophic factor synthesis can be modulated also by specific drugs acting on glial and/or neuronal metabolism. We found that selegilin is able to induce basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and that certain antiepileptic drugs can induce brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) by acting, respectively, on glial and neuronal cells.