Table 2.

Subset of growth factors that had been implicated in depressive illnesses: potential roles in behavioral processes and/or neuropsychiatric disorders.

Growth factor family	Growth factor name	Major outcomes	Behavioral processes/neuropsychiatric disorderss
Neurotrophins	BDNF	Growth and differentiation of neurons, survival of existing neurons and synapses, neuronal and synaptic plasticity	Response and adaptation to stress, learning and memory, social behaviors. Depression, anxiety.
	NGF	Growth and differentiation of neurons, maintenance and survival of existing neurons, neuronal and synaptic plasticity	Response to stress, learning and memory. Depression, anxiety. Antidepressant effects.
Fibroblast growth factors	FGF-2	Development of nervous system, differentiation of stem cells, wound healing, angiogenesis	Response to stress, cognitive processes, social behaviors. Depression, schizophrenia. Antidepressant effects.
Vascular endothelial growth factors	VEGF	Angiogenesis, vasculogenesis	Social behaviors. Depression, schizophrenia, anxiety. Antidepressant effects.
	EPO	Production of blood cells (erythropoiesis), increases oxygen delivery, wound healing, angiogenesis, neuronal protection	Cognitive performance. Antidepressant effects.