Methods of treating Parkinson's disease using recombinant adeno-associated virus virions

A method of treating Parkinson's disease in a primate comprising:

• a) providing recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) virions comprising heterologous genes encoding dopamine synthesizing enzymes wherein said dopamine synthesizing enzymes comprise tyrosine hydroxylase, aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase, and guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase I;
• b) injecting into the striatum of said primate said rAAV virions wherein at least one corpus striatal cell of said primate is transduced;
• and
• c) expressing said heterologous genes wherein expression results in a therapeutic effect in said primate, and wherein said therapeutic effect in said primate is an improvement in manual dexterity.

A method of treating Parkinson's disease in a primate, comprising:

• a) providing recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) virions comprising heterologous genes encoding dopamine synthesizing enzymes wherein said dopamine synthesizing enzymes comprise tyrosine hydroxylase, aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase, and guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase I;
• b) injecting into the striatum of said primate said rAAV virions wherein at least one corpus striatal cell of said primate is transduced;
• and
• c) expressing said heterologous genes wherein expression results in a therapeutic effect in said primate, and wherein said therapeutic effect in said primate is a reduction in resting tremor.