Abstract: A method for treatment or prophylaxis of a patient suffering from functional symptoms of Parkinson's disease, especially as a consequence of damage to dopaminergic neurons, by administering to the patient a neuroprotective amount of a peptide selected from the tripeptide gly-pro-glu (GPE) and analogs and mimetics thereof, preferably GPE. The GPE will usually be administered subsequent to the onset of Parkinson's disease but prior to the damage of said dopaminergic neurons.

Abstract: The tripeptide glycine-proline-glutamine (GPE) may be administered before, or usually after, injury to reduce damage to the central nervous system. GPE appears useful for neuronal rescue particularly but not exclusively within the hippocampus. Advantages of GPE include: (a) that it crosses the blood-brain barrier, so is effective by injected peripheral administration, (b) it is unlikely to challenge the immune system, (c) it is cheap, and (d) its therapeutic ratio is high. GPE may also be infused into the CSF. It may be administered prior to parturition or elective brain or cardiac surgery. Transdermal routes may be useful for chronic neural disorders. The CNS of mammals (including foetal mammals) after trauma including hypoxic/ischaemic experimental insults showed reduced damage under GPE protection as measured by histological assessment of cell damage or death and regional shrinkage.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of the tripeptide Gly-Pro-Glu (GPE) or analogs thereof for the treatment of conditions of the central nervous system (e.g. cerebral vasculitis) in which the amount of the neural enzymes nitric oxide synthetase (NOS) and/or glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) is reduced.