Viral vectors for gene transfer travel longer distances in the brain than thought

(University of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna) Gene transfer with laboratory-produced viruses is seen as a hopeful therapy for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's patients. A team from Vetmeduni Vienna investigated how far these viruses spread in the brain and which cells they infect. Some of these viruses travelled from injection site as far as the olfactory bulb or the cerebellum and infected neurons and other cells. This could improve selection of viral vectors for custom therapies using gene transfer. Histochemistry and Cell Biology
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news