Tropic Regulation of the Basal Ganglia : Focus on Dopamine Neurons

This volume represents the state-of-the-art of our understanding of aFGF and bFGF in the basal ganglia. Thus, the localisation of those growth factors, the control mechanisms of their expression, and their trophic actions are analysed in relation to nerve cell survival as well as to the neurodegenerative diseases affecting the basal ganglia. Some of the most advanced research on degenerative and regenerative features of the basal ganglia is also presented. These studies involve the actions of neurotrophins, epidermal growth factors, gangliosides and neuropeptides as well as their localisation and expression in the basal ganglia. These discoveries will help towards understanding the interactions between trophic factors and transmitters in the control of nerve function and their phenotypic maintenance; the studies in the work provide the appropriate background knowledge necessary to fully appreciate the impact of present FGF research on the trophic regulation of the basal ganglia.