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Proneuron gets grant to test Parkinson's Rx LOS ANGELES, Jan. 24 (UPI) -- U.S. firm Proneuron said Wednesday it has received $430,000 from the Michael J. Fox Foundation to develop its Parkinson's disease drug. The company said it would use the funds to assess whether its neuro-restorative drug PN277 prevents degeneration of dopaminergic neurons and/or to reverse dopamine loss in relevant animal models. It is the loss of the brain's dopamine cells that leads to Parkinson's disease. PN277, in a class of treatments called oligopeptides, appears to work by inducing a protective mechanism that reduces neuronal loss, spurs restorative activities and enhances neurogenesis in several animal models for acute and chronic neuro-degenerative conditions, Proneuron said. The company said it is also developing the drug for other diseases of the central nervous system, with the most advanced program for ischemic stroke. Proneuron said it has completed most of the required preclinical studies needed to support a phase 1 study this year for that indication. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn