[olsen]

(was this work the basis for clinical trials of GDNF in PD?)

GDNF prevents degeneration and promotes the phenotype of brain noradrenergic neurons in vivo
Ernest Arenas, Miles Trupp, Peter Åkerud and Carlos F. Ibáñez

Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics Karolinska Institute S-171 77 Stockholm Sweden

http://www.cell.com/neuron/retrieve/...96627395900241


Abstract
... GDNF, a neurotrophic factor intitially identified as dopaminotrophic, was found to be expressed in several targets of central noradrenergic neurons in the adult rat brain. Grafting of genetically engineered fibroblasts expressing high levels of GDNF prevented >80% of the 6-hydroxydopamine-induced degeneration of noradrenergic neurons in the LC in vivo. Moreover, GDNF induced a fasciculated sprouting and increased by 2.5-fold both tyrosine hydroxylase levels and the soma size of lesioned LC neurons. These findings reveal a novel and potent neurotrophic activity of GDNF that may have therapeutic applications in neurodegenerative disorders affecting central noradrenergic neurons, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases.

[paula_w]

Originally Posted by olsen

(was this work the basis for clinical trials of GDNF in PD?)

GDNF prevents degeneration and promotes the phenotype of brain noradrenergic neurons in vivo
Ernest Arenas, Miles Trupp, Peter Åkerud and Carlos F. Ibáñez

Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics Karolinska Institute S-171 77 Stockholm Sweden

http://www.cell.com/neuron/retrieve/...96627395900241


Abstract
... GDNF, a neurotrophic factor intitially identified as dopaminotrophic, was found to be expressed in several targets of central noradrenergic neurons in the adult rat brain. Grafting of genetically engineered fibroblasts expressing high levels of GDNF prevented >80% of the 6-hydroxydopamine-induced degeneration of noradrenergic neurons in the LC in vivo. Moreover, GDNF induced a fasciculated sprouting and increased by 2.5-fold both tyrosine hydroxylase levels and the soma size of lesioned LC neurons. These findings reveal a novel and potent neurotrophic activity of GDNF that may have therapeutic applications in neurodegenerative disorders affecting central noradrenergic neurons, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases.

one man told me it was discovered in Germany. But it was canceled at least once before the big trial that made the news. it was first tried as an injection. they may have done things before that not sure. i heard there was a lady in the injection study who was just as upset as they were at the 2004 cancellation.

i don't know about then, but they are working on a capsule delivery in europe now. people have stuck with this research for many years..they haven't given up.