Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is important for the development and maintenance of dopamine neurons. In rodent and primate models of Parkinson disease GDNF can have restorative effects on dopaminergic neurons. But, as GDNF can not penetrate brain tissue from either blood or cerebro-spinal fluid, treating patients with this factor has proved difficult. In the March 31 Advanced Online Publication
Gill et al. delivered GDNF directly into the putamen of five patients with Parkinson disease by chronic infusion using pumps. Infusion into the postero-dorsal putamen (its sensorimotor component)...