Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for determining the susceptibility of Parkinson's disease patients to optimized drug therapy (ODT) and or deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Methods for inhibiting the progression of neurodegenerative diseases and treating neurotrauma-induced damage and cerebrovascular disease are provided herein, the methods including the administration of a safe and effective amount of allantoin to a patient in need thereof. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions including allantoin for the inhibition of the progression of neurodegenerative diseases and for the treatment of neurotrauma-induced damage and cerebrovascular disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compounds and kits for increasing the viability of cells. The methods involve treating cells that make up a tissue graft with erythropoietin before, during or after delivery or administration. The method can employ cells of different types, including cells of neural or paraneural origin, such as adrenal chromaffin cells. Also useful are cell lines grown in vitro. Cells not of neural or paraneural origin, such as fibroblasts, may also be used following genetic alteration to express a desired neural product such as a neurotransmitter or a neuronal growth factor. The method is used to treat neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, epilepsy, and traumatic brain or spinal cord injury.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compounds and kits for increasing the viability of cells. The methods involve treating cells that make up a tissue graft with erythropoietin before, during or after delivery or administration. The method can employ cells of different types, including cells of neural or paraneural origin, such as adrenal chromaffin cells. Also useful are cell lines grown in vitro. Cells not of neural or paraneural origin, such as fibroblasts, may also be used following genetic alteration to express a desired neural product such as a neurotransmitter or a neuronal growth factor. The method is used to treat neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, epilepsy, and traumatic brain or spinal cord injury.

Abstract: A novel method for alleviating depression comprises implanting monoamine producing living cells in the CNS of depressive subjects.