Sensory nerves in adult rats regenerate and restore sensory function to the skin independently of endogenous NGF

We have investigated the possible roles of NGF, and of impulse activity, in the regeneration of sensory nerves. Unexpectedly, the ability of crushed axons to regrow and to restore functional recovery of three sensory modalities in adult rat skin (A alpha-mediated touch, A delta-mediated mechanonociception, and C-fiber-mediated heat nociception) was totally unaffected by anti-NGF treatment. This finding applied even when the anti-NGF dosage was …