On Wednesday 22 April 2009, Rita Levi-Montalcini, Nobel Prize laureate and discoverer of the first neural growth factor, turned 100 years old. Her scientific work drastically changed basic neuroscience and could have important implications for the treatment of neurological disorders.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 print issues and online access
$209.00 per year
only $17.42 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
References
Levi-Montalcini, R. & Hamburger, V. Selective growth stimulating effects of mouse sarcoma on the sensory and sympathetic nervous system of the chick embryo. J. Exp. Zool. 116, 321–361 (1951).
Levi-Montalcini, R. & Calissano, P. The scientific challenge of the 21st century: from a reductionist to a holistic approach via systems biology. BMC Neurosci. 7 (Suppl. 1), S1 (2006).
Hamburger, V. The effects of wing bud extirpation on the development of the central nervous system in chick embryos. J. Exp. Zool. 68, 449–494 (1934).
Dawbarn, D. & Allen, S. J. Neurotrophins and neurodegeneration. Neuropathol. Appl. Neurobiol. 29, 211–230 (2003).
Allen, S. J. & Dawbarn, D. Clinical relevance of the neurotrophins and their receptors. Clin. Sci. (Lond.) 110, 175–191 (2006).
Fischer, W. et al. Amelioration of cholinergic neuron atrophy and spatial memory impairment in aged rats by nerve growth factor. Nature 329, 65–68 (1987).
Tuszynski, M. H. et al. A phase 1 clinical trial of nerve growth factor gene therapy for Alzheimer disease. Nat. Med. 11, 551–555 (2005).
Tabakman, R., Lecht, S., Sephanova, S., Arien-Zakay, H. & Lazarovici, P. Interactions between the cells of the immune and nervous system: neurotrophins as neuroprotection mediators in CNS injury. Prog. Brain Res. 146, 387–401 (2004).
Filippi, M. & Rocca, M. A. Disturbed function and plasticity in multiple sclerosis as gleaned from functional magnetic resonance imaging. Curr. Opin. Neurol. 16, 275–282 (2003).
Levi-Montalcini, R. & Cohen, S. Effects of the extract of the mouse submaxillary salivary glands on the sympathetic system of mammals. Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 85, 324–341 (1960).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Competing interests
The author declares no competing financial interests.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Geurts, J. Neurology's growth factor: 100 years of Rita Levi-Montalcini. Nat Rev Neurol 5, 355–356 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2009.91
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2009.91
This article is cited by
-
Rita Levi-Montalcini (1909–2012)
Journal of Neurology (2013)