Parkinson's Disease Treatment - Promising New Results

Introduction

Main Item

Finnish scientists discover nerve growth factor with therapeutic potential in Parkinson's disease

Scientists in the Academy of Finland's Neuroscience Research Program have reported promising new results with potential implications for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. They have been studying the impacts of nerve growth factors in the treatment of PD, and their latest results show that a certain growth factor can be used to halt the progress of damage brought on by a nerve poison and possibly even restore the function of damaged cells.

The studies on nerve growth factors used an experimental PD model in rats. Administration of the growth factor reduced motor disturbances in rats.

The severe motor disturbances that are seen in PD are caused by the slow degeneration of dopamine nerves in the brain. There are treatments that alleviate the symptoms of the disease, such as hand tremor, but they do not prevent or halt the degeneration of nerve cells. The nerve growth factors studied to date have slowed nerve cell degeneration to some extent, but they have had only limited therapeutic effect. Several known nerve growth factors, such as GDNF, also attach to extracellular tissue, possibly deterring their movement to nerve cells that require treatment.

Working under the supervision of Academy Professor Mart Saarma, scientists at the University of Helsinki Institute of Biotechnology have now been investigating two new nerve growth factors. MANF (mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor) is released from glial cells in the mid-brain and is a member of the same growth factor family as CDNF, another growth factor that Saarma's team have investigated. A University of Helsinki team led by Professor Raimo K. Tuominen discovered that in the experimental PD model, MANF and CDNF injections into the brain prevented dopamine nerve destruction caused by nerve poison and to some extent even restored the function of damaged cells in rats.

The latest results suggest that MANF spreads more readily in brain tissue than other known growth factors. This may be a highly significant finding in respect to the development of growth factor therapy for PD.

Reference: The results are published in the 29 July issue of the Journal of Neuroscience.

Academy Professor Mart Saarma, University of Helsinki, Institute of Biotechnology, tel. + 358 9 191 59359, +358 50 500 2726, mart.saarma(at)helsinki.fi

Professor Raimo K. Tuominen, University of Helsinki, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, tel. +358 9 191 59469, +358 50 5548005, raimo.tuominen(at)helsinki.fi

Related Publications▶ Share This Page

Page Information, Citing and Disclaimer

Disabled World is a comprehensive online resource that provides information and news related to disabilities, assistive technologies, and accessibility issues. Founded in 2004 our website covers a wide range of topics, including disability rights, healthcare, education, employment, and independent living, with the goal of supporting the disability community and their families.

Cite This Page (APA): Academy of Finland. (2009, August 28). Parkinson's Disease Treatment - Promising New Results. Disabled World. Retrieved September 19, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/disability/types/mobility/parkinsons-disease/parkinsons-disease-treatment.php

Permalink: <a href="https://www.disabled-world.com/disability/types/mobility/parkinsons-disease/parkinsons-disease-treatment.php">Parkinson's Disease Treatment - Promising New Results</a>: Scientists have reported promising new results with potential implications for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Disabled World provides general information only. Materials presented are never meant to substitute for qualified medical care. Any 3rd party offering or advertising does not constitute an endorsement.