BDNF and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Neurotrophin (NT) proteins are membersof a family of neurotrophicfactors that have key roles in controlling the development and functionof the central and peripheral nervous systems., Thelevels of secreted NTs modulate signaling pathways that regulate neuronalsurvival, axonal, and dendritic network maintenance, differentiation,and synaptic plasticity., In addition to theirphysiological roles, NTs have been linked to neurodegenerative disorders,including Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, and Parkinson’sdiseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig’sdisease), and peripheral neuropathy.,