Nerve growth factor is elevated in the CSF of patients with multiple sclerosis and central neuropathic pain

J Neuroimmunol. 2018 Jan 15:314:89-93. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2017.11.012. Epub 2017 Nov 20.

Abstract

Central neuropathic pain (CNP) is common and disabling among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The pathological mechanisms underlying CNP in MS are not well understood. We explored whether NGF is implicated in the pathogenesis of CNP in MS. We measured NGF concentration in the CSF of 73 patients affected by MS, 15 with and 58 without CNP and 14 controls. We found increased levels of NGF in the CSF of patients with CNP compared to patients without and to controls. This finding supports the hypothesis that NGF plays a role in MS related CNP.

Keywords: Inflammation; MS; Nerve growth factor; Neurotrophins.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / complications*
  • Nerve Growth Factor / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Neuralgia / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Neuralgia / etiology*

Substances

  • NGF protein, human
  • Nerve Growth Factor