Scientists hold out hope for regenerative infusion via brain implant — despite failing its first test in Parkinson's
A regenerative approach to treating Parkinson’s disease — featuring an implant to pump a protein directly into patients’ brains — floundered on its first clinical test, but that hasn’t stopped researchers in the UK from holding out hope that it can eventually work by restoring damaged brain cells.
Championed by Parkinson’s UK, the treatment works by boosting the levels of GDNF, or glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor, a naturally occurring protein thought to protect cells and help them recover or regrow. To receive the protein — which is too large to penetrate the blood-brain barrier — patients first have to undergo a robot-assisted surgery to have four tubes placed into their brains, then get hooked to a machine that infuse GDNF to precise locations of the brain via a port on the side of the head.
Unlock this article instantly by becoming a free subscriber.
You’ll get access to free articles each month, plus you can customize what newsletters get delivered to your inbox each week, including breaking news.