Clinical observation on nerve growth factor in the treatment of severe craniocerebral trauma

Objective To investigate the influence of nerve growth factor (NGF) on the level of plasma creatine kinase BB (CK-BB) and its clinical effect in patients with severe craniocerebral trauma. Methods Eighty patients with severe craniocerebral trauma (GCS≤8) were randomly assigned to NGF-treated (n=40) and control (n=40) groups. Conventional therapy was performed on these patients and NGF was added into the NGF-treated group. The level of plasma CK-BB in these patients was measured; the clinical prognosis of the patients was evaluated based on the GOS scores 6 months after severe craniocerebral trauma; the condition of regained consciousness was compared between the 2 groups. Results Plasma CK-BB in the NGF-treated group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05); the recovery rate in the NGF-treated group (24/40) was significantly higher than that in the control group (11/40); the consciousness regained within i month was found in 32 patients in the NGF-treated group but only 18 of that was noted in the control group (P<0.05); NGF-treated group (12.43±6.25) showed a significantly shorter time that consciousness was regained as compared with the control group (15.96±7.58). Conclusion NGF can decrease the level of plasma CK-BB, shorten coma time and improve life quality in patients with severe craniocerebral trauma. Application ofNGF, a safe and effective treatment method, provides a new potential therapeutic strategy for patients with CNS injury. Key words: Nerve growth factor; Craniocerebral trauma; Coma