Recombinant-methionyl human glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is known
for its neurorestorative and neuroprotective effects in rodent and primate models of
Parkinson's disease (PD). When administered locally into the putamen of Parkinsonian
subjects, early clinical studies showed its potential promise as a disease-modifying agent.
However, the development of GDNF for the treatment of PD has been significantly clouded
by findings of cerebellar toxicity after continuous intraputamenal high-dose administration in …