Abstract
The progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the ventral mesencephalon is the main pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD). Drugs currently available only alleviate the principal symptomatic motor-related disturbances and their benefit is counteracted by side effects in the long time. While cell replacement strategies for approaching PD by means of intrastriatal implantation of dopaminergic neurons showed some encouraging results in a number of patients this therapeutical approach aims primarily to replenish the lack of dopamine but not halting disease progression. Hence, over the past decades various strategies have been exploited to protect the dopaminergic neurons in the ventral mesencephalon from dying. Of special importance are in this context neurotrophic factors, drugs striving against oxidative stress and bioenergetic supplements. Particularly, several neurotrophic factors have been described to specifically increase the survival and/or growth of dopaminergic neurons in vitro and in vivo, including neurotrophins and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family members.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
