[Stitcher]

Another Possible Parkinson's Treatment Has a Controversial Namesake

07/19/07
http://myparkinsonsinfo.com/articles...rsial_namesake

For now it lives in the shadow of it's trophic factor brother GDNF. However, earlier this month scientists writing in the journal Nature found that conserved dopamine neurotrophic factor or CDNF, produced positive results in animal experiments. According to the author's observations, CDNF prevented nerve degeneration and helped restore nerve function in laboratory mice.

This science brings people with Parkinson's back to a familiar place. GDNF performed remarkably well in clinical trials earlier this decade. According to Amgen, GDNF's owner, it is a protein . . . "found in the central nervous system that promotes the growth, regeneration, and protection of specific nervous tissue." In Phase II clinical trials researchers infused it into patients' brains using small implanted catheters. They hoped GDNF's ability to regenerate nervous tissue would regenerate portions of Parkinsonians' brains. Amgen haulted the trials citing a lack of data proving GDNF's effectiveness, and citing safety issues. This frequently happens in clinical trials, for good reasons. However, many within the PD community were devastated. They had experienced dramatic improvements. Some study participants have even sued Amgen, hoping to force it to continue providing GDNF.

While CDNF is in its infancy, it offers additional hope to people with Parkinson's disease. We hope this science can quickly enter the clinical trial phase and start to answer questions about its potential for people with Parkinson's disease.