Neurotrophic factor that regulates central nervous development and function. Homodimer. Interacts with FGFR2 and FGFR4. Affinity between fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and their receptors is increased by heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans that function as coreceptors. Predominantly expressed in the cerebellum. The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. Belongs to the heparin-binding growth factors family. It is uncertain whether variants in this gene are associated with Parkinson disease. Some authors mention association with the disease (PubMed:18252210). In contrast, some others do not observe any association (PubMed:19133659).