Glial Cell Line–Derived Neurotrophic Factor Receptor Rearranged During Transfection Agonist Supports Dopamine NeuronsIn Vitroand Enhances Dopamine ReleaseIn Vivo

Background Motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) are caused by degeneration and progressive loss of nigrostriatal dopamine neurons. Currently, no cure for this disease is available. Existing drugs alleviate PD symptoms but fail to halt neurodegeneration. Glial cell line–derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is able to protect and repair dopamine neurons in vitro and in animal models of PD, but the clinical use of GDNF is complicated by its...