Subthalamic Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase Gene Therapy: Changes in Motor Function and Cortical Metabolism

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2007

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with increased excitatory activity within the subthalamic nucleus (STN). We sought to inhibit STN output in hemiparkinsonian macaques by transfection with adeno-associated virus (AAV) containing the gene for glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD). In total, 13 macaques were rendered hemiparkinsonian by right intracarotid 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine injection. Seven animals were injected with AAV-GAD into the right STN, and six received an AAV gene for green fluorescent protein (GFP). Videotaped motor ratings were performed in a masked fashion on a weekly basis over a 55-week period. At 56 weeks, the animals were scanned with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET). Histological examination was performed at the end of the study. No adverse events were observed after STN gene therapy. We found that the clinical rating scores for the two treatment groups had different patterns of change over time (group time interaction, PPP

Department

Physics and Astronomy

Publication Title

Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism

DOI

10.1038/sj.jcbfm.9600364

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS