Abstract: Disclosed and claimed are methods for treating or preventing neurodegenerative diseases, conditions or maladies or symptoms or physiology associated therewith, such as treating or preventing Parkinson's disease or symptoms or physiology associated therewith such as motor deficits or nigrostriatal degeneration; or, for inducing nigrostriatal regeneration. Advantageously, the methods involve administering a lentiviral vector that expresses GDNF, such as human GDNF, or a variant, homolog, analog or derivative thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel methods for the identification of genes and gene products that are implicated in certain disease states. According to the invention, there is provided a method for the identification of a gene that is implicated in a specific disease or physiological condition, said method comprising the steps of comparing: i) the transcriptome or proteome of a first specialized cell type that is implicated in the disease or condition under first and second experimental conditions; with ii) the transcriptome or proteome of a second specialized cell type under said first and said second experimental conditions; and identifying as a gene implicated in the disease or physiological condition, a gene that is differentially regulated in the two specialized cell types under the first and second experimental conditions. The invention also relates to novel genes and gene products identified using these methods.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vector containing a nucleic acid sequence encoding erythropoietin (Epo) in operable linkage with an HRE expression control sequence, as well as uses thereof; for instance, in preparing a medicament, as well as in methods for treating anemia in a patient in need thereof. The method can involve administering to the patient a vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding erythropoietin (Epo) in operable linkage with an HRE expression control sequence, wherein expression of Epo is physiologically regulated such that hematocrit levels of the patient are corrected and maintained.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed are methods for treating or preventing neurodegenerative diseases, conditions or maladies or symptoms or physiology associated therewith, such as treating or preventing Parkinson's disease or symptoms or physiology associated therewith such as motor deficits or nigrostriatal degeneration; or, for inducing nigrostriatal regeneration. Advantageously, the methods involve administering a lentiviral vector that expresses GDNF, such as human GDNF, or a variant, homolog, analog or derivative thereof.