Researchers continue to experiment with a gene therapy to rejuvenate brain cells with nervous system growth factor. Citing patient safety concerns, Amgen discontinued a gene therapy study in February for one if its projects, GDNF (Glial-cell-lined-derived neurotrophic factor). However, researchers from the University of California, San Francisco and Rush University Medical Center in Chicago are experimenting with a related growth factor, neurturin. According to Ceregene's website, the creator of the neurturin therapy technique:
This approach aims to deliver growth factors into the nigrostriatal system in an attempt to prevent the degeneration of substantia nigra neurons and the accompanying loss of the neurotransmitter dopamine.
The investigators are quick to point out that this is a phase I clinical trial, and the emphasis of the study is to measure the safety of this gene therapy. If the treatment graduates to phase II clinical trials, the team will begin to gauge neurturin’s effectivenes.
Click here to read more about the study.
Click here to read Amgen’s press release discontinuing its trial of GDNF.
