 | | | | Related Healthscout Videos | |
|
Page: << Prev | 1 | 2 The approach helps, but because the infusion of dopamine takes place in fits and bursts, not continuously, people often develop involuntary movements.
Scientists have thus been focused on finding ways to deliver dopamine to the brain more continuously.
The new study, published Oct. 14 in Science Translational Medicine, represents one such effort.
Text Continues Below
After inducing Parkinson's-like symptoms, such as tremors and rigidity, in macaque monkeys, French researchers inserted three genes involving dopamine production. The genes had been introduced into animals before, but separately, never with the same viral delivery system, according to the study.
Dopamine was restored and sustained at about 50 percent of normal concentrations, resulting in motor improvements without the side effects seen with conventional drugs, the study found. The benefits were seen for up to 44 months.
But the genes were introduced into nerve cells that normally do not produce dopamine, which could foreshadow problems.
"They were basically giving non-dopamine cells the machinery to produce dopamine on their own, completely unrestricted," Nahab said. "That's a little bit different from prior studies, which have tried to use a drug that would convert to dopamine. In this case, there are some additional safety concerns."
Jarraya, however, pointed out that "in monkeys, [the therapy] has proved 'safe' even after 44 months, which was the longest follow-up."
When the therapy might be ready for use in people, however, remains unclear.
"What they've done, and the success they've had is very exciting and very promising, but I wouldn't basically say the next step is doing this in humans," Nahab said. "It's a small study. I think we're going to need more, larger trials in non-human primates to assess for safety."
The French researchers, though, said that an early-phase clinical trial in humans is in progress. "So far, six Parkinson's disease patients have been treated -- no serious adverse events, encouraging results so far," Jarraya said. "[But] the study is not ended, so still no final results."
Roughly 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson's disease each year, according to the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. The average age of onset is 60.
More information
The U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke has more on Parkinson's disease.
Page: << Prev | 1 | 2
|
.gif)
