Recovery from experimental parkinsonism in primates with GM1 ganglioside treatment

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Abstract
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(M)1 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.