*
stanford arches
left navigation bar
Infinite Menus, Copyright 2006, OpenCube Inc. All Rights Reserved. Infinite Menus, Copyright 2006, OpenCube Inc. All Rights Reserved.
* *
 

Research in Progress

Gene Therapy



Gene Therapy Successful in HD Rats

In early June 2003, researchers announced that certain proteins in the nervous system called neurotrophic factors may combat the degeneration of neurons associated with Huntington’s disease. Scientists used a harmless virus to transfer a neurotrophic factor called GDNF to the neurons of rats with HD in order to prevent the degeneration of these cells. This harmless virus can be used to deliver the neurotrophic factor into the nuclei of the neurons. To test the effectiveness of GDNF, each rat’s neurons were injected with one of two neurotrophic factors, GDNF or GFP, followed by injections below the skin of a harmful toxin. After the injection of the toxin, the rats were tested on a raised platform motor task, in which they had to find the platform and climb onto it. The motor skills of the GFP rats deteriorated, while the motor skills of the GDNF rats remained relatively normal. These results indicate that GDNF defends neurons against the degenerative effects of HD. However, researchers anticipate that further testing on HD mouse models will be necessary to determine if this type of gene therapy would be effective in humans.

prevback to chapter titlenext

Last Modified: 5-10-04


HOPES Logo

An educational product of HOPES, not to be used in place of medical care.
For more information about HOPES, click on the Logo.
To contact HOPES with comments or questions, click here.


You are HOPES site visitor number

 
corner  corner
corner corner
HDSA Honors
HDSA Award Logo

The "Giving a Voice to HD" Award
corner corner
corner corner
Interactive HOPES
More Interactive HOPES>>>
corner corner
corner corner
Search HOPES
corner corner
corner corner
Esperanzas/Espoirs/
Other Languages
corner corner
corner  corner
 About HOPES    Home    Site Search    Glossary    Contact Us   
corner  corner
DHTML Web Menu by OpenCube