Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Neurodegenerative disorders represent a major class of disorders for which thus far any effective small molecule drug therapy has failed to emerge. RNA interference (RNAi), by which disease genes such as those identified for spino-cerebellar ataxia and Huntington's disease can be specifically silenced, has great potential in becoming a successful therapeutic strategy for these diseases. RNAi has shown therapeutic value in vitro and in animal disease models and clinical trials are currently on their way. However, there are problems, such as toxicity due to non-specific silencing, generation of immune responses and over-saturation of RNAi pathway components that must be overcome in order to establish RNAi as a safe and effective therapy. Current research on the endogenous roles of RNAi, through the action of microRNAs, has offered much knowledge to optimise the exploitation of RNAi.

Original publication

DOI

10.1093/bfgp/elm005

Type

Journal article

Journal

Brief Funct Genomic Proteomic

Publication Date

03/2007

Volume

6

Pages

40 - 49

Keywords

Animals, Gene Silencing, Gene Transfer Techniques, Genetic Therapy, Humans, Immunity, Innate, Models, Biological, Nervous System Diseases, Neurodegenerative Diseases, RNA Interference, Sensitivity and Specificity