UF researchers have made a breakthrough in gene therapy, which they hope will help reduce Parkinson's disease symptoms.
The new treatment will allow the brain to create dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is significantly lacking in the brains of Parkinson's patients.
Dopamine helps the brain control the body's movements and controls information flow into the brain, including memory, attention and problem-solving tasks.
"We have a therapeutic gene, and we want to control how much of it is made. We want to turn it off and on as we see fit," said Fredric Manfredsson, a postdoctoral associate in the UF Department of Neuroscience.
The therapeutic gene protects dopamine-producing cells, which then lessen Parkinson's symptoms.
"The reason we are excited about this factor is it gives an added safety feature," Manfredsson said. "A lot of animal trials have shown it should allow a lot of the cells not to degenerate."
The team is obtaining funds to begin testing the therapy on early-stage patients, he said.
