Basic fibroblast growth factor prevents death of lesioned cholinergic neurons in vivo

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Abstract
Cutting the axons of the cholinergic neurons that project to the hippocampal formation results in death of most of these cells1,2. Previous studies have shown that administration of nerve growth factor before or at the same time as the lesion will prevent this cell death3,4. Here we demonstrate that basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF) administered into the brain reduces the death of cholinergic neurons in the medial septum and diagonal band of Broca after transection of their axons, in both young adult and aged rats. Moreover, FGF can partially protect against death of cholinergic neurons even when administered two days after axonal transection. These results indicate a possible function for FGF in the normal support of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons, but its range of activity could be wider, for FGF also supports non-cholinergic neurons in vitro5,6, it is localized in many of the central nervous system neurons7, and it is found in relatively high concentrations in the brain8.