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

Thanks, Jack for all your good information on the subject.

Hi jackD! You are making want to go to the library and get a biochem book!! I am sure I got rid of my college book when it was 25 years old.

I am concerned that NGF also influences the activity of B and T cells. I would have to understand how a little better.

I did find vitamin D3 at BJs Wholesale Club in 1000 IU capsules. I understand why we may need more.

I very much liked your last link because it had the best graphic explaining the nerve issues with the chemicals and how Copaxone works in certain situations.If anyone has a little knowledge about biochem you really should take a peek.

I don't know how you are finding this material, in its complete form, but I am glad you are sharing it. Its not easy to find more than just an abstract.

I know that our dendrites can grow and elongate,

http://www-als.lbl.gov/als/science/s...9receptor.html

and that is why my neuro told me about Wii actually helping to grow these for folks who can't get enough activity outside of the home.

So to keep this back to Vitamin D, it supports the NGF, if I am interpretting this properly.

THANKS!!

You are right about the Vit D and NGF connection.

That techie site...

http://www.copewithcytokines.de/cope.cgi?key=NGF

says that ....

That comment about Glucocorticoids (STEROIDS) blocking NGF production is a real bummer.

jackD

I also take some IDEBENONE to get some extra NGF production in my brain. It is a bit expensive and you need to take 2 caps daily.

jackD

p.s. It a modified form of CQ-10 and is somewhat difficult to find in stores. I hear the rats love the stuff. I can now make it thru the water maze in a flash.

Not a bad side effect for something that stops/removes excess calcium deposits from Vit D/calcium supplementing.

jackD

Interesting to see how NGF and the Vit Ks work together to protect and enhance neuron outgrowth.

jackD

Neurologische Universitätsklinik, Robert-Koch-Strasse 40, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany.

Axonal destruction and neuronal loss occur early during multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune inflammatory CNS disease that frequently manifests with acute optic neuritis. Available therapies mainly target the inflammatory component of the disease but fail to prevent neurodegeneration. To investigate the effect of minocycline on the survival of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), the neurons that form the axons of the optic nerve, we used a rat model of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Optic neuritis in this model was diagnosed by recording visual evoked potentials and RGC function was monitored by measuring electroretinograms. Functional and histopathological data of RGCs and optic nerves revealed neuronal and axonal protection when minocycline treatment was started on the day of immunization. Furthermore, we demonstrate that minocycline-induced neuroprotection is related to a direct antagonism of multiple mechanisms leading to neuronal cell death such as the induction of anti-apoptotic intracellular signalling pathways and a decrease in glutamate excitotoxicity. From these observations, we conclude that minocycline exerts neuroprotective effects independent of its anti-inflammatory properties. This hypothesis was confirmed in a non-inflammatory disease model leading to degeneration of RGCs, the surgical transection of the optic nerve.

PMID: 17239606 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

THANKS!

Targeting "things" to reduce BOTH Inflammation and glutamate excitotoxicity makes a lot of sense.

I am not a fan of minocycline treatment because I feel that it's main benefit comes from reducing MMP-9s and the damage the MMP-9s do in the MS's destructive processes. I have been researching safe ways to reduce glutamate excitotoxicity via a number of common supplements.

I hope you realize that it is NOT the antibiotic nature of minocycline that provides its MS benefit. I would not take it or recommend taking it for a long period of time. There are better & safer alternatives.

jackD

The second stage of MS -THE NEURODEGENERATIVE STAGE - where the excess glutamate kills neurons.

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

Below pic/chart is from this report. NOTE EXCESS GLUTAMATE

I asked my doc to check my levels and they were excessively low. She put me on the mega dose for awhile and now I take 1000IU a day to maintain. I don't feel any different, but I do believe no one should have low levels of anything without paying consequences later on.
I grew up in Michigan so enough said.
Perhaps people with low vit D levels get sick....or maybe sick people develope low levels of vit D.....I'm not sure...but getting your levels up is optimal.