August 14th 2009

Jichi Medical University has succeeded in restoring the motor function of patients suffering from Parkinson's disease by injecting their brains with a virus with a built-in gene that has an enzyme to produce dopamine, it has been learned.

Five out of six patients undergoing the first gene therapy in Japan have shown some recovery in their motor functions, the Shimotsuke, Japan-based university said.

The university said it had confirmed the safety of the virus. Although the treatment is not ready to be used as a general therapy due to the few number of cases to date, the outcome has the potential to dramatically change the lives of Parkinson's disease patients.

http://www.physorg.com/news169483653.html