Numerous neurotrophic growth factors help determine which neurons develop in the immature brain and which are retained in the adult brain.

Neurotrophic factors can also induce neurons to sprout axons capable of growing into new locations and forming new synaptic connections, a process that continues in the mature brain.

NGF (Nerve Growth Factor) is one essential neurotrophic growth factor. The below links describe how calcium is used in this process and how Glutamate toxicity kills neurons using Calcium in the Second stage of MS.


http://www.psychiatrist.com/pcc/brainstorm/br5904.htm (main article)

http://www.psychiatrist.com/pcc/brainstorm/br5906.htm (therapeutic potential)

http://www.psychiatrist.com/pcc/brainstorm/br5806.htm (Glutamate assassin/excitotoxic neuron murder)

The Second Stage of MS is "The Degenerative Stage" in which "excess Glutamate" runs wild on a killing spree. First phase, of course, is the "Inflammatory Stage" of MS.

http://home.ix.netcom.com/~jdalton/ms-two-stages.pdf

jackD