Nerve growth factor, interoception, and sympathetic neuron: Lesson from congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis

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• 作者：Yasuhiro Indo
• 关键词：Nerve growth factor (NGF) ; Receptor tyrosine kinase for NGF ; TrkA protein ; NTRK1 gene ; TRKA gene ; Congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis ; Interoception ; Polymodal receptor ; Sympathetic neuron ; Basal forebrain cholinergic neuron ; Em
• 刊名：Autonomic Neuroscience
• 出版年：2009
• 出版时间：11 May 2009
• 年：2009
• 卷：147
• 期：1-2
• 页码：3-8
• 全文大小：225 K

文摘

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a well-known neurotrophic factor essential for the survival and maintenance of sensory and sympathetic neurons. Congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA) is a genetic disorder due to loss-of-function mutations in the NTRK1 (also known as TRKA) gene encoding TrkA, a receptor tyrosine kinase for NGF. Patients with CIPA provide us a rare opportunity to explore the developmental and physiological function of the NGF-dependent neurons in behavior, cognitive, and mental activities that are not available in animal studies. Here, I discuss the significance of findings that patients with CIPA lack NGF-dependent neurons, including interoceptive polymodal receptors, sympathetic postganglionic neurons, and probably several types of neurons in the brain. They also exhibit characteristic emotional behavior or problems. Together, the NGF–TrkA system is essential for the establishment of a neural network for interoception and homeostasis that may underlie ‘gut feelings’. Thus, NGF-dependent neurons play a crucial role in emotional experiences and decision-making processes. Prospective studies focused on these neurons might provide further insights into the neural basis of human emotion and feeling.