EAN 2021 | Treating Parkinson’s disease with gene editing

Alessio Di Fonzo, MD, PhD, IRCCS Ca’Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy, discusses the prospect of gene therapy in Parkinson’s disease. Several non-disease modifying gene therapies targeting dopamine or GABA synthesis have been trialed, with mixed results achieved regarding their ability to improve Parkinson’s symptoms. More testing is needed before these agents can be used clinically. Novel gene editing technology presents new opportunities for genetic forms of Parkinson’s. To date, no gene editing trials have been conducted in specific monogenic forms of Parkinson’s. Growing understanding of the genetic background in Parkinson’s is shedding light on new targets that may be targeted in trials in the future. This interview took place during the European Academy of Neurology 2021 congress.