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29th November 2008 - News release Source: Viartis GENE THERAPY FAILS CLINICAL TRIALS FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE CERE-120 carries the gene for neurturin (NTN), a naturally occurring protein that is claimed to repair damaged dopamine-secreting neurons, and restoring normal function. CERE-120 is injected in to the affected area of the brain. Clinical trials for CERE-120 were being financially assisted by the Michael J. Fox Foundation. However, CERE-120 has been found in those clinical trials to have no effect. There was no difference between those patients being treated and those not being treated. For more information go to the Complete news release CERE-120 is of the same type of substance as GDNF, which during contentious clinical trials several years ago was claimed to be ridding people of Parkinson's Disease, even though those that achieved the greatest "benefit" were later found to be taking only a placebo. GDNF also failed subsequent clinical trials. Medical researchers have been claiming for decades that the use of gene therapy and "the unique healing properties of neurotrophic factors" such as CERE-120 and GDNF would be able to rid people of Parkinson's Disease. However, failed clinical trials have proven the entire approach to be ineffective. 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