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This is great news. Glial Cell Derived Neutropic Growth Factor. Growing back what it can in the brain. Doesn't stop Parkinsons, but the testimonies I've read say those in the first study felt the improvement long after they stopped taking GDNF. Sharon ----- Original Message ----- From: "rayilynlee" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2008 6:32 PM Subject: Amgen's GDNF Gene resumes use in PD > Source: Viartis > 18th September 2008 - News release > AMGEN'S GDNF GENE RESUMES USE IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE > The GDNF gene is claimed to contain the information for a protein > necessary for the development and survival of nerve cells. Several years > ago, Amgen's use of GDNF was being touted as a great breakthrough in > Parkinson's Disease. During Amgen's clinical trials of GDNF, patients were > claiming that their symptoms had been rid due to using it - even though > some of those patients had been taking the placebo instead. Amidst > widespread protests, Amgen ceased its use of GDNF altogether due to > studies showing that it caused toxicity in animals. The patients' > experiences were subsequently detailed in "Monkeys in the Middle". > Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics (AMT) have just announced that it has > obtained a license from Amgen to use their GDNF gene for the development > of a gene therapy treatment for Parkinson's disease. For more information > go to AMT. In theory, GDNF could biochemically increase somebody's ability > to produce their own dopamine. However, an animal study showed that this > effect would reverse over time. Since the Amgen clinical trial, in two > small independent open clinical trials involving 5 and 10 patients, a > moderate beneficial effect was shown. However, when a large controlled > clinical trial was later carried out by the same people, GDNF had no > effect at all in ridding Parkinson's Disease. > > Rayilyn Brown > Director AZNPF > Arizona Chapter National Parkinson 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 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn