Abstract: Induction of neuronal fate in neural stem cells or neural progenitor or precursor cells, or other stem cells, and enhancement of induction of a specific neuronal phenotype, and particularly to induction and enhancement of induction of a midbrain dopaminergic neuronal phenotype. Expressing a nuclear receptor of the Nurr1 subfamily above basal levels within the cell, and regulating GSK-3? inhibition within the cell other than by means of a ligand for a Frizzled receptor.

Abstract: Methods for promoting dopaminergic neuronal development and producing neural cells having a dopaminergic phenotype. Dopaminergic neural cells may be used for treating individuals having a neurodegenerative disease such as Parkinson's disease. Dopaminergic cells may be implanted into the brain of the individual, and/or dopaminergic neural development may be induced or enhanced in the brain of the individual. Methods comprise expressing a nuclear receptor of the NG4A subfamily, e.g. Nurr1, above basal levels within the cell and treating the cell with a Wnt ligand, thereby producing or enhancing proliferation, self-renewal, survival and/or dopaminergic induction, differentiation, survival or acquisition of a neuronal dopaminergic phenotype. The cell may be co-cultured with astrocytes or glial cells and may be contacted with an FGF growth factor.

Abstract: Methods for promoting dopaminergic neuronal development and producing neural cells having a dopaminergic phenotype are provided. Dopaminergic neural cells may be used for treating individuals having a neurodegenerative disease such as Parkinson's disease. Dopaminergic cells may be implanted into the brain of the individual, and/or dopaminergic neural development may be induced or enhanced in the brain of the individual. Methods comprise expressing a nuclear receptor of the NG4A subfamily, e.g., Nurr1, above basal levels within the cell and treating the cell with Wnt ligand, thereby producing or enhancing proliferation, self-renewal, survival and/or dopaminergic induction, differentiation, survival or acquisition of a neuronal dopaminergic phenotype. The cell may be co-cultured with astrocytes or glial cells and may be contacted with an FGF growth factor.