Table 2 Summary of clinical trials with NGF on central nervous system’s diseases

Alzheimer’s Disease

Single case report.

Mouse NGF. 75 μg/day for three months, total amount: 6.6 mg.

ICV.

Increase of cortical blood flow and brain nicotine uptake. Improvement of verbal episodic memory.

Weight loss.

[119]

Three patients case report.

Mouse NGF. Two patients:75 μg/day or three months, total amount: 6.6 mg. One patient: 16 μg/day for 2 weeks and 3.4 μg/day for further 10 weeks, total amount: 0.55 mg.

ICV.

Increase of brain nicotine uptake.

Weight loss. Back pain.

[120]

Phase I clinical trial.

Human NGF genetically engineered into autologous grafted fibroblasts.

Gene therapy.

Improvement in the rate of cognitive decline. Significant increases in cortical 18-fluorodeoxyglucose after treatment, as revealed by PET scans.

Absence of long-term adverse effect in 6 out of 8 patients.

[182]

Phase I randomized, controlled dose-escalating study to assess the safety and tolerability of CERE-110.

Human NGF genetically engineered into adeno-associated virus vector (CERE-110).

Gene therapy.

Ongoing.

Ongoing.

[183–185]

Open label, 12 month study on 6 patients.

Human NGF genetically engineered in human retinal cells encapsulated in implantable device

Gene therapy.

The phase I trial was a safety and tolerability study. The implantation and removal of device were safe and well tolerated. Positive neurological outcomes were also found in 2 out of 6 patients.

No NGF-related adverse events were found.

[187, 190]

Parkinson’s disease

Single case report.

Mouse NGF. 3.3 mg infused via implanted cannula over 23 days, as support for adrenal medulla graft.

Intra-putaminal.

NGF treatment could prolong the effect of adrenal chromaffin grafts in human PD.

Not reported.

[121]

Optic glioma and advanced optic nerve atrophy.

Five patients case study.

Mouse NGF. 1 mg total over 10 days in daily applications.

Topical (eye).

Improvement in visual evoked potentials (VEP).

Not reported.

[206]

Single patient case study.

Mouse NGF. 1 mg total over 10 days in daily applications.

Topical (eye).

Reversible improvements of visual function and electrophysiological measurements.

Not reported.

[207]

Hypoxic-ischemic perinatal brain injury

Two patients case study.

Mouse NGF. 0.1 mg/day for 10 days.

ICV.

Improvement in the comatose status, increased alpha/theta ratio in the EEG, reduction of malacic areas and improvement, in right temporal and occipital cortices perfusion.

Not reported.

[123]

Two patients case study.

Mouse NGF. 0.1 mg/day for 10 days.

ICV.

Improvement in EEG and SPECT parameters. An increase of doublecortin in CSF.

Not reported.

[122]