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UK: Brain Injections Reverse Parkinson's (GDNF) Infusions of growth-spurring molecule improves symptoms more than 40% By Gabe Romain, Betterhumans Staff 4/27/2004 • Hits: 133 • Comments: 0 A nerve growth-spurring molecule pumped directly into the brain can improve Parkinson's symptoms more than 40%. Researchers at Imperial College London in the UK have infused molecules called glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factors, or GDNF, into the brains of Parkinson's disease sufferers. The infusion increased dopamine production and improved symptoms in participants. Dopamine degeneration Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative condition that affects parts of the brain that produce the neurotransmitter dopamine, a chemical messenger responsible for transmitting signals within the brain that control movement and coordination. Parkinson's disease occurs when neurons that produce dopamine malfunction and die. Loss of dopamine results in such symptoms as trembling, stooped posture, muscle stiffness and poor balance. There are medications that work to slow the decline in function that occurs with Parkinson's, however, there's currently no way to stop the loss of neurons that produce dopamine or to restore those that have already been lost. Cell rescue Many studies have suggested that GDNF can promote motor the survival of dopamine neurons. In the current study, five patients with advanced Parkinson's disease had a small tube inserted into their brain, through which GDNF was infused over the course of two years. Using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, which assesses worsening or improvement of Parkinson's symptoms over time, participants were tested at six-month intervals for two years. They were also examined using positron emission tomography, which generates a computerized image of the brain's activity, to determine the amount of a dopamine generator called 18F-dopa. "We were very encouraged by our results," says Imperial researcher Gary Hotton. "The patients experienced a 41% improvement in total UPDRS and a 44% improvement in the UPDRS motor function section." The results of the study were presented in San Francisco, California at a meeting of the American Academy of Neurology. SOURCE: Betterhumans, Canada http://www.betterhumans.com/News/news.aspx?articleID=2004-04-27-1 * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn