UIC-2005-038 – Use of specific inhibitors of Protein Kinase C (PKC) isoforms to normalize fast axonal transport function in the treatment of familial and sporadic forms of Parkinson’s disease.

The invention describes a molecular mechanism that leads to neurodegeneration in people with certain forms of Parkinson’s disease. Specifically, in experiments, researchers have found that the abnormal regulation of fast retrograde transport in affected neurons is due to the inappropriate activation of PKC isoforms. With this in mind, the researchers propose using specific PKC inhibitors in order to prevent the pathological changes associated with the overactivity of PKCs. Such a proposal holds promise for therapeutic use, as it may halt or slow the progression of the disease that inflicts many Americans and millions of others worldwide. Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that results from the degeneration of neurons in a region of the brain that controls movement. This degeneration creates a shortage of the brain signaling chemical (neurotransmitter) known as dopamine, causing the movement impairments that characterize the disease. According to the American Parkinson’s Disease Association, over 1.5 million people in the United States suffer from this disease. Over 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease each year. There is increasing evidence that Parkinson’s disease may be inherited (genetically passed on between family members). Men are slightly more likely to develop the disease than women. Melissa Maderia maderia@otm.uic.edu 312-439-9678