**5.3.10 Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)**

The neuroprotective growth factor BDNF has been evaluated in a phase I/II clinical trial which reported a trend for prolonged survival after subcutaneous infusion (The BDNF Study Group & Bradley, 1995), a result which could not be reproduced in the subsequent phase III clinical trial (The BDNF Study Group (Phase III), 1999). The intrathecal administration was safe and well-tolerated (Ochs et al., 2000).
