Friday, March 25, 2011
Gene therapy trial shows promising results in Parkinson's disease.
An article in Lancet Neurology, claims that scientists have devised a way to potentially treat Parkinson's patients using gene therapy. The trial involved drilling a hole into the skulls of Parkinson's patients and introducing a virus which carries billions of copies of a gene that was designed to make the brain produce more GABA. The study shows mild statistical success: 23% improved who got the treatment, while 13% improved who got a fake surgery and treatment. While one of the patients testified that he could not move before the treatment and now he is playing jazz and travelling, the success could be attributed to the similar effects of deep brain stimulation (also a Parkinson's treatment). Additionally, the study was funded by the biotech company that invented the procedure. It was also only performed on 37 people. More research is clearly needed.
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Yes, more research is indeed needed. 37 people are nothing compared to what over 6 billion.. but of course this only applies to the people that have PD. If they can seriously improve a person with PD by drilling a hole in someone's head.. then I guess it's okay. It'll depend on the person who has PD. Obviously a person with it should wait years until there is a better study. Hopefully researchers can find something better than a hole in the head. Good topic.
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