Recovery from Experimental Parkinsonism in Primates with GM 1 Ganglioside Treatment

A parkinsonian syndrome can be produced in nonhuman primates by administration of the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Parkinsonian-like symptoms induced acutely by MPTP were ameliorated after treatment with G M1 ganglioside, a substance shown to have neurotrophic effects on the damaged dopamine system in rodents. Treatment with G M1 ganglioside also increased striatal dopamine and metabolite levels and enhanced the dopaminergic innervation of the striatum as demonstrated by tyrosine hydroxylase immunohistochemistry. These results suggest that G M1 ganglioside may hold promise as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.