[Disorders of neural atrophy].

The original research data and current literature evidence on neural trophism and its impairment are summarised. The concepts of the regional neurotrophic system (neuron and glyocyte--innervated tissue--neuron), generalized trophic network in the central nervous system (neurons of the central nervous system and their various links through which the exchange of trophic substances is accomplished), and of the trophic system of the body (trophic interaction of the main integrating systems--nervous, endocrine, immune, and peripheral tissues) are formulated. Tissue neurodystrophy arises in deficient production or insufficient action of trophogenes secreted in the nervous system. The neurons and tissues that have undergone pathological changes can produce trophogenes which would induce pathological changes in other neurons on entering them. This kind of pathogenic substances are defined by the author as pathotrophogenes. An intracellular dystrophic process is brought about as a chain of standard reactions, the important role in its development being played by derangement of intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis.