GLIAL-CELL LINE-DERIVED NEUROTROPHIC FACTOR - A NOVEL THERAPEUTIC APPROACH TO TREAT MOTOR DYSFUNCTION IN PARKINSONS-DISEASE

The discovery of the novel neurotrophic factor glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in 1993 sparked the interest of basic neur oscientists and clinicians alike. Since that time, many aspects of GDN F's physiology and pharmacology have been studied in great detail. GDN F has been shown to be a potent survival factor for dopaminergic neuro ns during development. GDNF also has been shown to be a survival facto r and neurotrophic factor for nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons in th e adult. The factor also reverses behavioral deficits in a rodent and primate model of Parkinson's disease. The overall goal will be to disc uss the pharmacology of GDNF in the context of a potential therapeutic use to treat Parkinson's disease. Thus, the following report presents a comprehensive review of the development of GDNF's pharmacology and evidence which supports the clinical use of GDNF to treat dopaminergic deficits and motor dysfunctions in Parkinson's disease. (C) 1997 Acad emic Press.