Compositions and methods for treatment of Parkinson's disease: a patent evaluation of WO2011/102847A1

BACKGROUND: The application (WO2011/102847A1) deals with methods useful for the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). OBJECTIVE: It aims at producing mature and functional midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neurons useful for the treatment of PD. METHODS: mDA neurons were produced from neural progenitor cells or stem cells by activating both the Wnt-Lmx1a/Lmx1b and the SHH-FoxA2 signaling pathways. RESULTS: The level of the proteins of these two synergic pathways is increased, as well as their biological activity. CONCLUSION: The invention provides a method for treating or preventing PD by increasing the level of at least one protein involved in an autoregulatory pathway, which is fundamental during mDA neurons differentiation.