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FROM: E-MOVE: Two encouraging reports-- Long-term Results of GDNF Pilot Trial (AAN 2004) E-MOVE reports from the American Academy of Neurology, San Francisco April 25-30, 2004. Page (A), session (S) and poster (P) numbers are from Neurology 2004;62(7), Suppl 5 The long term effect of glial derived neurotrophic factor infusions and 18F-dopa uptake in Parkinson’s disease GR Hotton, NK Patel, SS Gill, P Heywood, CJ Svendson, DJ Brooks S38.001; A345 GDNF improves PD symptoms and increased fluorodopa uptake in the putamen for up to two years, according to this report. Five patients received GDNF bilaterally (n=4) or unilaterally (n=1) via implanted minipump and indwelling cannula to the posterior putamen for two years. UPDRS total score and ADL score improved by 41% versus baseline, with most of the improvement occurring during the first 12 months. Fluorodopa uptake increased by 6o% in the posterior putamen, but by only 6% in the anterior putamen, away from the site of the cannula. Six-month results of this trial were reported by E-MOVE and are archived at http://www.mdvu.org/emove/article.asp?ID=436 A double-blind trial of GDNF is currently underway, with results expected to be announced in the fall of 2004. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Long-term Effectiveness of AADC Gene Therapy in PD Monkeys (AAN 2004) E-MOVE reports from the American Academy of Neurology, San Francisco April 25-30, 2004. Page (A), session (S) and poster (P) numbers are from Neurology 2004;62(7), Suppl 5 Long-term evaluation of AAV/AADC gene transfer in parkinsonian monkeys K Bankewiecz, M Daadi, R Danchez-Pernaute, P Pivirotto, J Bringas, P Herscovitch, R Carson, W Eckelman, J Cunningham, JL Eberling S28.004; A258 Gene therapy with aromatic acid dopa decarboxylase (AADC) remains stable for up to 4 years, and reduces levodopa requirement in parkinsonian monkeys, according to this study. AADC converts levodopa into dopamine; the natural reservoir of AADC in dopaminergic neurons is depleted during the course of Parkinson’s disease. MPTP-treated monkeys received unilateral injection to the striatum of AADC carried on an adeno-associated virus vector, or non-therapeutic control vector. Fluorodopa PET imaging indicated an approximately five-fold increase in uptake in the striatum; despite focal injection, the increase in the imaging marker was largely uniform throughout the striatum. AADC-treated monkeys “showed clinical recovery and a robust response” to previously non-therapeutic doses of levodopa “without any side effects,” according to the authors. Results remained stable for up to 4 years. The authors conclude, “This approach may have direct application for treating PD by restoring and/or increasing striatal conversion rates of systemically administered levodopa, thus widening the therapeutic window and may help to avoid levodopa-induced dyskinesias.” ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn