Technologies

Executive Summary

Patients afflicted with Parkinson’s disease often develop severely debilitating movement disorders as side effects from currently available treatment options. Researchers at MSU propose to use a new gene therapy approach that will both reduce these side effects and prolong the effectiveness of treatment by targeted gene silencing.

Description of Technology

L-Dopa induced dyskinesia (LID) is a side effect of prolonged chronic use of L-Dopa medication. A hyper-expression of Nurr1 protein in affected brain areas might underlie these side effects. Local injection of vectors encoding target genes in affected striatum can directly prevent the hyper-expression allowing for potentially improved fine-tuned response for motor control.