scholarly journals Adeno-Associated Viral Vectors as Versatile Tools for Parkinson’s Research, Both for Disease Modeling Purposes and for Therapeutic Uses

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (12) ◽  
pp. 6389
Author(s):  
Ana Fajardo-Serrano ◽  
Alberto J. Rico ◽  
Elvira Roda ◽  
Adriana Honrubia ◽  
Sandra Arrieta ◽  
...  

It is without any doubt that precision medicine therapeutic strategies targeting neurodegenerative disorders are currently witnessing the spectacular rise of newly designed approaches based on the use of viral vectors as Trojan horses for the controlled release of a given genetic payload. Among the different types of viral vectors, adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) rank as the ones most commonly used for the purposes of either disease modeling or for therapeutic strategies. Here, we reviewed the current literature dealing with the use of AAVs within the field of Parkinson’s disease with the aim to provide neuroscientists with the advice and background required when facing a choice on which AAV might be best suited for addressing a given experimental challenge. Accordingly, here we will be summarizing some insights on different AAV serotypes, and which would be the most appropriate AAV delivery route. Next, the use of AAVs for modeling synucleinopathies is highlighted, providing potential readers with a landscape view of ongoing pre-clinical and clinical initiatives pushing forward AAV-based therapeutic approaches for Parkinson’s disease and related synucleinopathies.

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tapan Behl ◽  
Gagandeep Kaur ◽  
Ovidiu Fratila ◽  
Camelia Buhas ◽  
Claudia Teodora Judea-Pusta ◽  
...  

AbstractCurrent therapies for Parkinson’s disease (PD) are palliative, of which the levodopa/carbidopa therapy remains the primary choice but is unable to modulate the progression of neurodegeneration. Due to the complication of such a multifactorial disorder and significant limitations of the therapy, numerous genetic approaches have been proved effective in finding out genes and mechanisms implicated in this disease. Following the observation of a higher frequency of PD in Gaucher’s disease (GD), a lysosomal storage condition, mutations of glycosylceramidase beta (GBA) encoding glucocerebrosidase (GCase) have been shown to be involved and have been explored in the context of PD. GBA mutations are the most common genetic risk factor of PD. Various studies have revealed the relationships between PD and GBA gene mutations, facilitating a better understanding of this disorder. Various hypotheses delineate that the pathological mutations of GBA minimize the enzymatic activity of GCase, which affects the proliferation and clearance of α-synuclein; this affects the lysosomal homeostasis, exacerbating the endoplasmic reticulum stress or encouraging the mitochondrial dysfunction. Identification of the pathological mechanisms underlying the GBA-associated parkinsonism (GBA + PD) advances our understanding of PD. This review based on current literature aims to elucidate various genetic and clinical characteristics correlated with GBA mutations and to identify the numerous pathological processes underlying GBA + PD. We also delineate the therapeutic strategies to interfere with the mutant GCase function for further improvement of the related α-synuclein–GCase crosstalks. Moreover, the various therapeutic approaches such as gene therapy, chaperone proteins, and histone deacetylase inhibitors for the treatment of GBA + PD are discussed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (37) ◽  
pp. 4738-4746
Author(s):  
Mohan K. Ghanta ◽  
P. Elango ◽  
Bhaskar L. V. K. S.

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder of dopaminergic striatal neurons in basal ganglia. Treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD) through dopamine replacement strategies may provide improvement in early stages and this treatment response is related to dopaminergic neuronal mass which decreases in advanced stages. This treatment failure was revealed by many studies and levodopa treatment became ineffective or toxic in chronic stages of PD. Early diagnosis and neuroprotective agents may be a suitable approach for the treatment of PD. The essentials required for early diagnosis are biomarkers. Characterising the striatal neurons, understanding the status of dopaminergic pathways in different PD stages may reveal the effects of the drugs used in the treatment. This review updates on characterisation of striatal neurons, electrophysiology of dopaminergic pathways in PD, biomarkers of PD, approaches for success of neuroprotective agents in clinical trials. The literature was collected from the articles in database of PubMed, MedLine and other available literature resources.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. Brooks

AbstractIn this paper, the structural and functional imaging changes associated with sporadic and genetic Parkinson’s disease and atypical Parkinsonian variants are reviewed. The role of imaging for supporting diagnosis and detecting subclinical disease is discussed, and the potential use and drawbacks of using imaging biomarkers for monitoring disease progression is debated. Imaging changes associated with nonmotor complications of PD are presented. The similarities and differences in imaging findings in Lewy body dementia, Parkinson’s disease dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease are discussed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen Gasca-Salas ◽  
Beatriz Fernández-Rodríguez ◽  
José A. Pineda-Pardo ◽  
Rafael Rodríguez-Rojas ◽  
Ignacio Obeso ◽  
...  

AbstractMR-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS), in combination with intravenous microbubble administration, has been applied for focal temporary BBB opening in patients with neurodegenerative disorders and brain tumors. MRgFUS could become a therapeutic tool for drug delivery of putative neurorestorative therapies. Treatment for Parkinson’s disease with dementia (PDD) is an important unmet need. We initiated a prospective, single-arm, non-randomized, proof-of-concept, safety and feasibility phase I clinical trial (NCT03608553), which is still in progress. The primary outcomes of the study were to demonstrate the safety, feasibility and reversibility of BBB disruption in PDD, targeting the right parieto-occipito-temporal cortex where cortical pathology is foremost in this clinical state. Changes in β-amyloid burden, brain metabolism after treatments and neuropsychological assessments, were analyzed as exploratory measurements. Five patients were recruited from October 2018 until May 2019, and received two treatment sessions separated by 2–3 weeks. The results are set out in a descriptive manner. Overall, this procedure was feasible and reversible with no serious clinical or radiological side effects. We report BBB opening in the parieto-occipito-temporal junction in 8/10 treatments in 5 patients as demonstrated by gadolinium enhancement. In all cases the procedures were uneventful and no side effects were encountered associated with BBB opening. From pre- to post-treatment, mild cognitive improvement was observed, and no major changes were detected in amyloid or fluorodeoxyglucose PET. MRgFUS-BBB opening in PDD is thus safe, reversible, and can be performed repeatedly. This study provides encouragement for the concept of BBB opening for drug delivery to treat dementia in PD and other neurodegenerative disorders.


2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 531-540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sankar Surendran ◽  
Srinivasagam Rajasankar

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 237437352199722
Author(s):  
Wissam Deeb ◽  
Christopher W Hess ◽  
Noheli Gamez ◽  
Bhavana Patel ◽  
Kathryn Moore ◽  
...  

Parkinson’s disease and parkinsonism are common chronic neurodegenerative disorders that tend to affect older adults and cause physical and sometimes cognitive limitations. Given that these limitations could impact successful telemedicine use, we aimed to investigate the experiences of patients with parkinsonism using telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic. A 19-item survey was emailed to patients with parkinsonism following telemedicine visits at a single US tertiary care parkinsonism specialty clinic. Seventy-four individuals responded, out of 270 invitations sent. Almost two-thirds (61.6%) of the respondents were comfortable with using technology in general, and almost all were very satisfied with their telemedicine experience. The most commonly reported benefits included cost and travel savings, ease of access to a specialist, and time savings. Issues with technology and previsit instructions were the most commonly identified challenges (28%). Urgent implementation, due to the pandemic, of telemedicine care for patients with parkinsonism was feasible and well received. The challenges most commonly reported by patients could be potentially alleviated by better education and support.


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