Vascular endothelial growth factor-B is neuroprotective in an in vivo rat model of Parkinson's disease

► Exogenous VEGF-B186 added to rat midbrain cultures had a neurotrophic effect. ► VEGF-B186 improved behavioral deficit in rat 6-OHDA Parkinson's disease model. ► VEGF-B186 treatment partially protected the dopaminergic fiber density in striatum. ► VEGF-B186 treatment partially rescued dopaminergic cells in substantia nigra. ► VEGF-B could be a new candidate trophic factor for Parkinson's disease treatment.