SfN19: Gene therapy advancements may aid future treatments for neurodegenerative diseases

Abstracts highlighting the potential of gene therapy in the treatment of a range of neurodegenerative diseases were presented at SfN Neuroscience (19–23 October 2019, Chicago, IL, USA). Studies in mouse models and in human brain tissue demonstrated promising results. “The research presented today represents important and exciting steps toward being able to prevent and treat disorders that currently have no cure, such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease,” commented Jeff Kordower, a Professor at Rush University (IL, USA). Gene therapy approach reprograms reactive astrocytes into motor neurons to restore motor function in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis One...