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Four primate studies have shown the possibility that neural cell transplants may be a potential therapy to treat neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson's disease. In one study, the ability of transplantation of human neural progenitor cells (hNPCs) to produce glial derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in the brain was investigated. "Localized delivery is essential for aiming therapeutic molecules when treating neurodegenerative disorders. There are currently a number of clinical trials underway using direct gene therapy approaches to deliver potent trophic factors throughout the basal ganglia," said Dr. Maria Emborg of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The research team found that hNPCs genetically modified to over-express GDNF were able to survive transplant and produced GDNF for three months. They also observed that the functional recovery in test animals had increased, and that the transplant procedure did not leave any side effects. Another team of experts from the University of Kentucky Medical Center and the Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shangdong, PR of China, is studying the neurorestorative effects of the exogenous protein neurturin (NTN), another member of the GDNF family. The researchers say that the protein may have beneficial effects on Parkinson's disease, for their research has so far shown some restorative influences after cell transplantation. "Tissue distribution of trophic factor is a critical variable to achieve optimal effects on dopamine function and promote behavioral improvement. The volume of GDNF distribution in the trophic factor recipients significantly correlated with motor function improvements. Tissue distribution may not have been optimal with NTN, but the overall effects of NTN on motor and dopaminergic function suggest potential therapeutic uses," said corresponding author Dr. Richard Grondin of the University of Kentucky. Rayilyn Brown Board Member AZNPF Arizona Chapter National Parkinson's Foundation [log in to unmask] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn