VEGF, a prominent growth factor promoting angiogenesis and BBB permeability, was upregulated in the substantia nigra, but not the striatum, of PD patients, while animal models of PD displayed parkinsonian traits following administration of exogenous VEGF into the substantia nigra (Barcia et al., 2005; Wada et al., 2006; Rite et al., 2007). The gene discussed is VEGFA; the disease is Parkinson disease.