Emerging restorative treatments for Parkinson's disease.
Several exciting approaches for restorative therapy in Parkinson's disease have emerged over the past two decades. This review initially describes experimental and clinical data regarding growth factor administration. We focus on glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), particularly its role in neuroprotection and in regeneration in Parkinson's disease. Thereafter, we discuss the challenges currently facing cell transplantation in Parkinson's disease and briefly consider the possibility to continue testing intrastriatal transplantation of fetal dopaminergic progenitors clinically. We also give a more detailed overview of the developmental biology of dopaminergic neurons and the potential of certain stem cells, i.e. neural and embryonic stem cells, to differentiate into dopaminergic neurons. Finally, we discuss adult neurogenesis as a potential tool for restoring lost dopamine neurons in patients suffering from Parkinson's disease.
Deierborg
Tomas
T
Neuronal Survival Unit, BMC A10, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund, Sweden. tomas.deierborg@med.lu.se
Soulet
Denis
D
Roybon
Laurent
L
Hall
Vanessa
V
Brundin
Patrik
P
D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000628:therapy*
D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents