Abstract
Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 has been shown to have a protective effect on motor neurons both in vitro and in vivo, but has limited efficacy in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) when given subcutaneously. To examine the possible effectiveness of IGF-1 in a mouse model of familial ALS, transgenic mice expressing human Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) with a G93A mutation were treated by continuous IGF-1 delivery into the intrathecal space of the lumbar spinal cord. We found that the intrathecal administration of IGF-1 improved motor performance, delayed the onset of clinical disease, and extended survival in the G93A transgenic mice. Furthermore, it increased the expression of phosphorylated Akt and ERK in spinal motor neurons, and partially prevented motor neuron loss in these mice. Taken together, the results suggest that direct administration of IGF-1 into the intrathecal space may have a therapeutic benefit for ALS.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 61-68 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Journal of the Neurological Sciences |
Volume | 235 |
Issue number | 1-2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 15 2005 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Akt
- Bcl-2
- ERK
- Motor neuron
- SOD1 mutation
- Spinal cord
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neurology
- Clinical Neurology