Interesting stuff Jack.

From the second link in your original post:

“Although such clinical applications are a long way off, new understanding about how neurons survive and innervate their targets of communication is evolving at an ever-quickening pace.”

“There are numerous problems in using neurotrophic factors as therapeutics. Such a large quantity of neurons are responsive to them that systemic administration may well activate all kinds of axonal sprouts that are not desired. Perhaps high doses or chronic use could be mitogenic, increasing the risk of cancer. When neurotrophic factors have been administered experimentally to both animals and humans, some unexpected consequences have been observed including appetite suppression, weight loss, increased pain perception, and muscle aches.2 Thus, localized administration to the desired site of action, or site-selective actions of systemically administered neurotrophic factors, may be required if treatment is going to be safe.”

The concern that I have is based on the fact this line of research is in its infancy; and seems to be directed more toward manipulating a possible fault in the glutamate receptor in neuro-degenerative disease, and possibly finding a way to deliver NGF only to specific target areas.

Those approaches sound reasonable, as adding NGF indiscriminately could inhibit optosis of dysfunctional/diseased neurons, and actually cause them to grow. Aside from potentially allowing too much neuronal growth, that would have a devastating effect on those people who have undiagnosed brain cancers.

In addition, glutamate is necessary for normal function of the nervous system, because in addition to it acting as a principle neurotransmitter, it uses glutamate to produce Gaba. Glutamate is also used for function in other systems of the body. Inhibiting it may prove to be devastating.

Magnesium ions block glutamate receptors, so that may be a reason why so many MS patients find relief from symptoms by supplementing with magnesium and/or bathing in it (Epsom salts).

It seems like a safer bet for now may be to ensure that adequate levels of magnesium, (to possibly block some glutamate receptors), as well as Vitamin D3 (for production of NGF), are present, will provide the body with what it needs to help it maintain homeostasis naturally.

With love, Erika