This review aims at summarizing the evidence for astrocyte participation in experimental PD genesis, the probable neuroprotective effect of molecules like GDNF (glial-derived neurotrophic factor), MANF (mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor), and CNTF (ciliary neurotrophic factor), and the involved pathological cascades described so far, illustrating the potential use of these findings in developing new-generation neuroprotective agents. The gene discussed is GDNF; the disease is Parkinson disease.