Nerve cell survival is dependent on both growth-promoting factors and factors released by neurotransmission, which can promote recovery in neurodegenerative conditions by overriding cell death pathways. The molecule responsible for activating death pathways in the nervous system is called p75. This project will investigate how p75 results in cell death, how synaptic signals can prevent the activation of the p75 death pathway and whether blocking p75 function can limit neurodegeneration.