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4 t h E u r o S c i C o n C o n f e r e n c e o n
Neurology & Neurological
Disorders
Journal of Neurology and Neuroscience
ISSN: 2171-6625
J u l y 1 2 - 1 3 , 2 0 1 8
P a r i s , F r a n c e
Neurology 2018
Page 42
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative
disorder worldwide effecting 1% of the population over 60 years of age. In
addition to its restrictive effects inmotor function, autonomus nervous systemand
cognitive functions are also effected. When levodopa is combined with peripheral
decarboxylase inhibitors, symptom relief has been observed for a couple of
years, however, many adverse effects including dyskinesias occur. Amantadine,
anticholinergics, entecapone/talcapone, selegiline, dopaminergic receptor
agonists all work for a limited period of time. Gene therapy, fetal substantia nigra
tissue implantationhaveall been tried, however, the resultshavebeen inconclusive.
Antiapoptotic drugs, glutamate antagonists and antiinflammatory drugswere used
for their antioxidant effects and deep brain stimulation has also been applied as
functional neurosurgery. Some vaccines have also been tried after the significant
role of neuroinflammation has become evident. In the studies conducted in our
laboratory, the anticonvulsant drug valproic acid has been found to be effective by
producing antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects. Epigenetic modulation was also
effective. In an animal model of Parkinson’s disease developed in rats stereotaxic
injection of 6-OHDA (8μg/2μL) or saline (2μL) to the right substantia nigra pars
compacta was done. The following coordinates of substantia nigra pars compacta
was used: (AP) = –4.8 mm, (ML) = –1.8 mm and (DV) = –8.2 mm. Only the rats
showing pronounced rotational behaviour (more than 5 contralateral turns) were
included in the study after apomorphine (0.5 mg/kg sc) test. The effects of
valproic acid were compared with levodopa. The studies are underway to study
the molecular mechanisms behind Parkinson’s disease.
Biography
Ece Genç has been with Yeditepe University Department of
Medical Pharmacology since 2004 where she teaches Medical
as well as Dentistry students and conducts research. Previous-
ly she has an experience as a Professor at the Pharmacology
Department of İstanbul Faculty of Medicine, Visiting Professor
at Clinical Neuroscience Branch of National Institutes of Health
USA, Lab Manager at Department of Pharmacology of Univer-
sity of California Irvine, instructor at California State University
Los Angeles. She was a Post-doctoral fellow at Max-Planck
Institute for Experimental Medicine Biochemical Pharmacology
Department. Her major areas of interest are Neuropharmacolo-
gy and Pharmacogenetics.
Novel insights in the treatment of
Parkinson’s disease
Ece Genc
Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey
Ece Genc, J Neurol Neurosci 2018, Volume: 9
DOI: 10.21767/2171-6625-C1-007