UNMC researchers make progress on Parkinson's vaccine
(3/02/2010) KHAS-TV - Parkinson's Disease affects a million Americans. And, there is no cure. But researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center are making progress.
Researchers are developing a vaccine that slows the degeneration of nerve cells in the brain that link to motor activity.
Early results in mice show improvement in damaged cells. The findings may give researchers more insight into what causes Parkinson's and a possible cure.
"This is not a vaccine that will cure it. This is a vaccine that will halt its progression," said Dr. Howard Gendelman.
It is unknown if long time sufferers would benefit from these findings. The vaccine is being tested on humans and will be tested at UNMC within the next month. FDA approval of any vaccine is still a few years away.