Michigan State University

Timothy Collier

Nicholas Kanaan

Jack W Lipton

Caryl E Sortwell

Kathy Steece-Collier

Fredric P Manfredsson

This invention relates to the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases by administering compositions that increase the activity of a small proline-rich repeat 1 A protein (Sprr1A), or derivative thereof to the brain. Specifically, the compositions may comprise a nucleic acid molecule encoding a Sprr1A protein or a biologically-active portion thereof. The neurodegenerative disease may be Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or traumatic brain injury.

Sprr1A as a genetic target for treating neurodegenerative diseases

Methods of treating movement disorders by reducing the activity of Nurr1 are disclosed. These methods are particularly applicable to subjects suffering from Parkinson's disease who have either developed levodopa-induced dyskinesia (LID) or are at risk of developing LID. In some aspects, the invention relates to a method for treating a movement disorder in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition, wherein said composition reduces the activity of a nuclea receptor related 1 protein ('Nurr1'). In some embodiments, the movement disorder is a dyskinesia. The movement disorder may be a levodopa-induced dyskinesia.

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Grand Rapids, MI, United States of America

Timothy Collier