P75NTR screening assay to identify modulators of apoptosis.

A method for identifying the ability of test compounds to modulate p75 NTR induced apoptosis, said method comprising: i. transfecting a suspension of eukaryotic cells with a vector encoding p75 NTR or a fragment thereof which induces cell death, ii. contacting said cell with the component to be tested; and iii. determine the apoptotic response in said cells, wherein an alteration in apoptotic response in the presence of said test compound compared to an apoptotic response in the absence of the test compound is an indication of the ability of this test compound to modulate apoptosis induced p75 NTR.