Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may be a promisingcandidate treatment for Parkinson's disease, scientists fromRegeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. and the Max Planck Institutefor Psychiatry report in today's issue of Nature.

The researchers showed that BDNF increased the survival offetal dopaminergic neurons, the adult versions of whichdegenerate in Parkinson's victims. BDNF also protected theneurons from toxins that produce Parkinson-type symptoms inanimal models.

Nerve growth factor (NGF), in contrast, had no effect on thedopaminergic neurons. Neither NGF nor basic fibroblast growthfactor (bFGF) protected neurons from toxins leading toParkinson's.

Amgen Inc. of Thousand Oaks, Calif., and Regeneron ofTarrytown, N.Y., have formed a partnership to develop BDNFand a second neurotrophic factor, called NT-3, to treatAlzheimer's dementia, Parkinson's disease and traumas to thespine. Regeneron is also developing ciliary neurotrophic factor(CNTF).

Other companies, such as California Biotechnology Inc.,Genentech Inc., Synergen Inc. and Syntex, are developingneurotrophic factors that include NGF, bFGF and CNTF to treatneurological disorders.

The authors hope that BDNF will provide a targeted method totreat Parkinson's disease. They caution that research is stillneeded to examine the effect of BDNF on adult neurons and inanimal models of Parkinson's disease.

-- Carol Talkington Verser Special to BioWorld

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