Abstract
Growth factors are potentially major players in therapeutic interventions for neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson's disease (PD) because of their potential to not merely provide symptomatic relief but also be disease modifying agents. Many extensively utilized therapies such as the prodrug levodopa, while unquestionably effective, are intended for symptomatic benefit. Such therapies do little to stifle the progressive nature of these diseases thereby placing temporal restrictions on their effectiveness. Growth factors, by virtue of their distinct neuroprotective properties, have the cumulative effect of curbing disease progression and allaying existing symptoms. The purpose of this review is to discuss some of the growth factors commonly used in animal models of PD and those already used in clinical trials.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | S176-S180 |
Journal | Parkinsonism and Related Disorders |
Volume | 15 |
Issue number | SUPPL. 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 2009 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- GDNF
- Gene therapy
- Neurturin
- Parkinson's disease
- Trophic factors
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neurology
- Geriatrics and Gerontology
- Clinical Neurology