Gelfand-Kirillov dimension of algebras with locally nilpotent derivations

Let R be a finitely generated algebra over a field of characteristic 0 with a locally nilpotent derivation δ ≠ 0. We show that if {ie313-1}, where the invariants {ie313-2} are prime and satisfy a polynomial identity, then {ie313-3}. Furthermore, when R is a domain, the same conclusion holds without the assumption that R is finitely generated. This enables us to obtain a result on skew polynomial rings. These results extend work of Bell and Smoktunowicz on domains with GK dimension in the interval 2, 3).