O'Keeffe and Sullivan's 'BRAIN' paper shows exciting effect of GDF5 in model of Parkinson's Disease

26 Jan 2021

Professor Gerard O'Keeffe and Professor Aideen Sullivan's recent research publication in the prestigious 'BRAIN' Journal has been featured in the 'The Conversation'. 

The research paper published in BRAIN entitled 'Growth differentiation factor 5 exerts neuroprotection in an α-synuclein rat model of Parkinson’s disease', describes how the GDF5 protein is showing promising results as a new therapy for Parkinson's disease.

In an article in 'The Conversation' entitled 'This brain protein may be key to treating Parkinson’s – study in rats shows' the authors discuss their work;  'Parkinson’s disease, a brain disorder that affects over 10 million people worldwide, is caused by the gradual loss of dopamine neurons. The loss of these neurons leads to involuntary tremors, stiffness and balance problems. While there are drugs to treat these symptoms, no drugs exist to slow the progression of the disease. However, we found a brain protein that may be able to prevent the loss of dopamine neurons. This discovery could be important for developing treatments.'

Read the full article here:   'The Conversation', This brain protein may be key to treating Parkinson’s – study in rats shows: https://theconversation.com/this-brain-protein-may-be-key-to-treating-parkinsons-study-in-rats-shows-150501

Growth differentiation factor 5 exerts neuroprotection in an α-synuclein rat model of Parkinson's disease. Goulding SR, Concannon RM, Morales-Prieto N, Villalobos-Manriquez F, Clarke G, Collins LM, Lévesque M, Wyatt SL, Sullivan AM, O'Keeffe GW.

Brain. 2020 Nov 30:awaa367. doi: 10.1093/brain/awaa367. Online ahead of print.

PMID: 33253375 No abstract available.

https://academic.oup.com/brain/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/brain/awaa367/6012791?redirectedFrom=fulltext