Nerve growth factor regulates central terminals of primary sensory neurons.

Transection of peripheral sensory axons results in transganglionic degenerative atrophy of central terminals of the affected primary sensory neurons. Nerve growth factor applied at the central stump of the transected nerve prevents or delays transganglionic degenerative atrophy. It is concluded that, under normal conditions, nerve growth factor taken up by receptors at peripheral sensory nerve endings and transported retrogradely to perikarya in dorsal root ganglia, regulates synthesis of neuroproteins destined for maintenance of central terminals of these neurons. Accordingly, transganglionic degenerative atrophy is the consequence of failure of nerve growth factor to reach perikarya of primary sensory neurons.