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Event Details: Neuroscience Lecture Series: Robert E. Burke, M.D. | Reconstruction of the Adult Nigrostriatal Dopaminergic Pathway: A New Approach to the treatment of Parkinson's Disease
Description:
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is
a chronic, progressive neurologic disorder that causes impairment of
movement. Available treatments for PD
offer relief of symptoms, but none are able to restore the neural structures
that have degenerated. Neuroscientists
have long believed that surviving mature neurons in the brain are incapable of
new axon growth. However, there is
emerging evidence that this belief is not true, that surviving neurons may be
induced to re-grow axons by re-activation of molecular processes that are
active during normal brain development.
Our research explores gene therapy approaches to re-activation of these
axon growth processes. The motor
impairments in PD are due to the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons and their
axons. We have investigated the ability
of two genes that are active in axon growth during development: a kinase Akt
and one of its downstream targets, the GTPase hRheb. We have found that both
Akt and hRheb, when expressed in dopamine neurons by use of a viral vector,
induce robust new axon growth and achieve partial restoration of function. At the time of first diagnosis of PD, 70% of
the neurons of the substantia nigra still survive. If they can be induced to re-grow their
axons, and re-establish their ability to release dopamine, it may be possible
to offer substantial neurorestoration with clinical benefit. The promise of this approach is that this
benefit will be achieved by endogenous dopamine neurons, in their normal
locations, with intact connections and with normal regulatory mechanisms in
place.
This event is part of the Neuroscience & Education program's
Spring 2013
Neuroscience Lecture Series. Some of the most accomplished investigators
in neuroscience from top universities in the NYC area will be
presenting new developments in their leading-edge research on the
frontiers of
neuroscience.
Click Here for a full list of speakers and topics
Type: Lectures & Talks
Location: Cowin Center, 147 HM
Date & Time: 2/25/2013, ,3:00 PM - ,4:45 PM
Website: http://www.tc.edu/bbs/seminars
Contact: Anlys Olivera
Email:
Contact's Affiliation: Biobehavioral Sciences
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