This seems very promising. I'll watch it closely.

It uses a neurotrophic factor called "nurturin" (sp?) in the same family as GDNF. The people in phase I did well. Here's hoping the trials find their 50 participants quickly!

Here is the link in Clinicaltrials.gov:


http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/sho...400634?order=1

Following are the Inclusion & Exclusion criteria:

Inclusion Criteria:

Diagnosis of bilateral, idiopathic Parkinson's Disease (PD) based on UK Brain Bank criteria with motor complications despite adequate oral antiparkinsonian therapy.

At least 5 years disease duration, relative to the anticipated date of surgery, since diagnosis of PD.

Males or nonpregnant females 35-75 years of age, inclusive.
A UPDRS motor scale score of 30 or greater in the practically defined off condition during the 30-day eligibility evaluation period.
Stable doses of antiparkinsonian medications and parkinsonian features for the 60-day period preceding the surgical procedure.

No conditions that would render the subject unsuitable for surgery, or that would interfere with any of the assessments of efficacy or safety in this trial.
Subject's informed consent prior to the performance of any study-specific procedures.

Exclusion Criteria:

Subjects with atypical or secondary parkinsonism.

Any subject, in the judgment of the investigator, for whom participation in the study would pose a safety risk including, but not limited to, a history of any clinically significant medical, psychiatric, or laboratory abnormality.
History of treatment of PD by any procedure involving intracranial surgery or implantation of a device.

MRI of the brain within 12 months before the surgical procedure that indicates the presence of an abnormality that may interfere with the assessments of safety or efficacy or would, in the judgment of the investigator, represent a surgical risk to the subject.

Any disorder that precludes a surgical procedure (e.g., signs of sepsis or inadequately treated infection) or alters wound healing.
Receipt of antiplatelet agents for at least 10 days prior to the surgical procedure.

A score of less than or equal to 27 on the Folstein Mini-Mental examination performed during the eligibility evaluation period or clinical evidence of cognitive impairment that would affect the subject's ability to sign the informed consent or perform any of the protocol required assessments.
Chemotherapy, cytotoxic therapy, or immunotherapy within 6 weeks prior to the surgical procedure.

Vaccinations within 30 days prior to the surgical procedure.
History, within 2 years before the surgical procedure, of drug or alcohol abuse.

Treatment with neuroleptics within 1 year before the surgical procedure.
Any medical disability (e.g., severe degenerative arthritis, compromised nutritional state, peripheral neuropathy) that would interfere with the assessment of efficacy and safety in this trial or would compromise the ability of the subject to undergo study procedures (e.g., MRI, PET), or give informed consent.

History of prior gene transfer therapy.

Treatment with an investigational agent within 60 days before the surgical procedure.