Partly, this loss stems from a defect in information that is transferred by a brain chemical called dopamine. Nerve cells which produce this chemical become defective and degenerate. Current therapies such as L-DOPA restore dopamine to the deficient regions. The introduction of L-DOPA in the late 1960's was a tremendous breakthrough for patients that were beyond hope. However, the effectiveness of L-DOPA diminishes with continued use and troublesome side effects often occur.
Improved therapies are essential.
A treatment being developed at Peoria involves the injection of a special type of blood cell into key brain regions. A patent for this potential treatment was issued in 1994. Importantly, this treatment improves movement and behavioral abnormalities in animal models of Parkinson's disease. The Department is excited about this potential treatment not only because of its favorable effects on the Parkinsonism model, but also because it may be possible to use it in other brain disorders that are in some ways similar to Parkinsonism.