This volume is a collection of articles written by Nobel Laureate Rita Levi-Montalcini and published from 1942 to 1995. Studies described in the first part set the stage for the discovery of a protein molecule which became known as the Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), described in detail in the second part. The NGF synthesized in minute amounts in all vertebrate tissues, plays an essential role in the differentiation and survival of several nerve cell populations in the peripheral and central nervous system. The discovery of the NGF was defined by the Nobel Foundation as a milestone in developmental neurobiology, and the author was awarded in 1986 with this prestigious award. Studies pursued in subsequent years and still in progress, have unveiled other fundamental properties of the NGF, described in the third part of this volume.

Illustrations by Lorie M. Gavulic, MFA Sponsored by the American Society for Neurochemistry.

A host of environmental factors regulate the embryonic development of neurons. In adults, the survival of neurons, the regeneration of damaged axons, and plastic changes in axonal arborization are also controlled by a complex array of environmental cues. An important category of regulatory influences involves target-derived hormone-like peptides act ing on neuronal cell surface receptors. Nerve growth factor (NGF) was the first such factor to be characterized (LEVI MONTALCINI and HAMBURGER 1953) and has served as the model against which all similar factors are compared. A number of factors with properties similar to NGF have been described with activities toward differing populations of neurons. Many of these factors have been characterized only poorly at the biochemical level. However, several factors have been charac terized to the extent that molecular clones are available and complete amino acid sequences are known. These include: three structurally related factors, NGF itself (SCOTT et al. 1983), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) (LEIBROCK et al. 1989), and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) (MAISONPIERRE et al. 1990; HOHN et al. 1990); ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) (LIN et al. 1989) and a second set of structural homologs; acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors (aFGF, bFGF) (ABRAHAM et al. 1986; JAYE et al. 1986). Investigators have cloned the receptors for NGF (JOHNSON et al. 1986; RADEKE et al. 1987) and FGF (LEE et al. 1989).

This volume is a collection of articles written by Nobel Laureate Rita Levi-Montalcini and published from 1942 to 1995. Studies described in the first part set the stage for the discovery of a protein molecule which became known as the Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), described in detail in the second part. The NGF synthesized in minute amounts in all vertebrate tissues, plays an essential role in the differentiation and survival of several nerve cell populations in the peripheral and central nervous system. The discovery of the NGF was defined by the Nobel Foundation as a milestone in developmental neurobiology, and the author was awarded in 1986 with this prestigious award. Studies pursued in subsequent years and still in progress, have unveiled other fundamental properties of the NGF, described in the third part of this volume.

The brain ... There is no other part of the human anatomy that is so intriguing. How does it develop and function and why does it sometimes, tragically, degenerate? The answers are complex. In Discovering the Brain, science writer Sandra Ackerman cuts through the complexity to bring this vital topic to the public. The 1990s were declared the "Decade of the Brain" by former President Bush, and the neuroscience community responded with a host of new investigations and conferences. Discovering the Brain is based on the Institute of Medicine conference, Decade of the Brain: Frontiers in Neuroscience and Brain Research. Discovering the Brain is a "field guide" to the brainâ€"an easy-to-read discussion of the brain's physical structure and where functions such as language and music appreciation lie. Ackerman examines: How electrical and chemical signals are conveyed in the brain. The mechanisms by which we see, hear, think, and pay attentionâ€"and how a "gut feeling" actually originates in the brain. Learning and memory retention, including parallels to computer memory and what they might tell us about our own mental capacity. Development of the brain throughout the life span, with a look at the aging brain. Ackerman provides an enlightening chapter on the connection between the brain's physical condition and various mental disorders and notes what progress can realistically be made toward the prevention and treatment of stroke and other ailments. Finally, she explores the potential for major advances during the "Decade of the Brain," with a look at medical imaging techniquesâ€"what various technologies can and cannot tell usâ€"and how the public and private sectors can contribute to continued advances in neuroscience. This highly readable volume will provide the public and policymakersâ€"and many scientists as wellâ€"with a helpful guide to understanding the many discoveries that are sure to be announced throughout the "Decade of the Brain."

The aim of this volume is to provide those working in the field of nerve growth factors with a detailed and accurate description of the techniques now available to explore the nature, range and mechanisms of the action of established or putative nerve growth factors.