Additional studies of MK to elucidate their neuroprotective activity in animal models of brain injury and neurodegeneration such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotropic lateral sclerosis, stroke or spinal cord injury should prove MK as a member of neurotrophic factors that are valuable in providing effective treatment for patients with various neurological disorders. The gene discussed is MDK; the disease is juvenile Huntington disease.