Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for promoting regeneration response of peripheral and central nervous systems in mammals in need of such biological effects. The methods comprise altering the activity or steady state level of specific transcription factors that control regeneration of injured or degenerated neuronal cells. Preferably the activity or steady state level of specific transcription factors is altered by introducing nucleic acids to increase or decrease expressing of these transcription factors. These are useful in or suffering from neurodegenerative disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for promoting regeneration response of peripheral and central nervous systems in mammals in need of such biological effects. The methods comprise altering the activity or steady state level of specific polypeptides that control regeneration of injured or degenerated neuronal cells. Preferably the activity or steady state level of specific polypeptides is altered by introducing nucleic acids to increase or decrease expressing of the polypeptides. These are useful in or suffering from neurodegenerative disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a viral vector capable of the transfer and in vivo expression of growth-associated protein (B-50/GAP-43) in neuronal target cells of a mammalian host. The viral vector contains a recombinant DNA molecule comprising a B-50/GAP-43 gene operably associated with a promoter, which promoter controls short term, high level expression of the B-50/GAP-43 gene. Preferably, the viral vector is a defective viral vector, in particular a defective herpes virus or an adeno-associated virus. In a specific embodiment, defective herpesvirus, adenovirus, and adeno-associated virus viral vectors containing the rat B-50/GAP-43 gene under control of the human cytomegalovirus immediate early promoter have been prepared. The invention further provides a method for treating nerve damage in a subject. The method comprises introducing a vector comprising a B-50/GAP-43 gene operably associated with a promoter into a damaged nerve tissue of a subject.