Another Breakthrough (Parkinson's) For Neural Adult Stem Cells

[n2doc]

By Erin Richards | February 20th 2009 11:41 AM |

The floodgates have opened, and through it rushes advances in stem cell research. It seems that every day, another effort makes a push forward for medical stem cell therapy.

Earlier this week, a team of research scientists published a study evaluating long term clinical results of treating patients with Parkinson’s disease with autologous neural stem cells. The results of the study demonstrated that stem cells from cerebral tissue could form differentiated neurons and could produce dopamine and reverse symptoms of Parkinson’s. Restored GABA and dopamine signals can restore and provide long term motor improvement.


These images show malfunctioning nerves consistent with Parkinson's. The second image (below) shows increasing activity after implantation. "18-Fluoro-DOPA Positron Emission Tomography Studies. (a) Pre transplant uptake study showing decrease nerve terminal density in the striatum, worse on left (right on picture), consistent with Parkinson’s disease. (b) Post transplant study with increase activity of marker at the site of micro-injections in left putamen." (Levesque et. al.)



According to lead author, Michel F. Levesque, MD, FRCS(C), FACS, "We have documented the first successful adult neural stem cell transplantation to reverse the effects of Parkinson's disease and demonstrated the long term safety and therapeutic effects of this approach."


more:

http://www.scientificblogging.com/erin039s_spin/another_breakthrough_neural_adult_stem_cells

[Teaser]

1. rock

.

[midnight]

2. This is exciting. I can't help but wonder, if the breakthrough for

Parkinson's disease will offer similiar breakthoughs for other diseases with smiliar movement disorders?

[BonnieJW]

3. Are you reading this

Michael J. Fox??? I hope this means improvement for your condition. You have fought bravely for this research and I hope it's available to you.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

4. What caused the floodgate to open?

Haven't they been doing adult stem cell therapies and research for many years?

David