An agent for promoting neurite elongation comprising an antibody thatrecognizes a varicella-zoster virus immediate-early protein and cross-reactswith abrain-derived neurotrophic factor； a prophylactic or therapeutic agent for anervousdisease, comprising the aforementioned antibody； an agent for inhibitingneuriteelongation comprising an antibody that recognizes a varicella-zoster virusimmediate-early protein and inhibits a brain-derived neurotrophic factor； anda prophylactic ortherapeutic agent for a disease with nerve hypersensitivity caused by aconditionselected from the group consisting of postherpetic neuralgia, chronic pains,experience-dependent social aversion and stress, comprising the aforementionedinhibitory antibody.
