Objective: To acquire knowledge about the change of nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in neurons of cerebral cortex of adult rat following local ischemia.
Methods: Using specific antiserums of NGF and BDNF by immunohistochemical ABC method.
Results: NGF-like and BDNF-like immunoreactions distributed mainly in the neurons of the third and fifth layers in cerebral cortex. After local ischemia, the average gray degrees of NGF and BDNF in neurons of cerebral cortex both decreased on the operated side more than on the un-operated side.
Conclusion: This experiment demonstrated that the levels of NGF and BDNF in neurons of cerebral cortex following ischemia were upregulated apparently, suggesting that NGF and BDNF may play an important role in the process of neurons' reaction after ischemia.