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Pig cells implanted into human brain as Parkinson’s treatment

A new treatment, which involves the implantation of pig cells into a human brain, is being tested as a potential treatment for Parkinson’s. The therapy, called NTCELL, has been developed by New Zealand-based biotechnology company Living Cell Technologies, and produces factors that promote central nerve system growth and repair nerve degeneration. Although still in the early stages of testing, the results have been promising with those being treated showing an improvement over an 18-month period. Roger Barker, professor of Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Cambridge, said: “The strategy is a good idea. The question is how competitive that will be compared with other cell therapies.” The treatment could be available as early as 2018.

Fruit flies help shed light on development of Parkinson’s disease

A study carried out by medical students from Juntendo University in Tokyo, Japan, has found that a loss of mitochondrial protein can exacerbate the progression of Parkinson’s disease. The research centred on the study of mutant fruit flies. The team examined what happened to the flies that lacked mitochondrial protein CHCHD2 – a protein that plays a key role in maintaining the structure of cells. The study found that the lack of CHCHD2 led to motor dysfunctions, such as the loss of climbing ability, as the flies aged. However, when researchers introduced a form of human CHCHD2 to the flies, the dysfunctions were reversed. The researchers, led by medical students Hongrui Meng and Chikara Yamashita, said their results shed light on the role of CHCHD2 mutations in Parkinson’s and offer “potential therapeutic targets in Parkinson’s caused by mitochondrial dysfunction.”

New research suggests sleep disorders could be early sign of Parkinson’s

New research has found that sleep disorders could be an early warning sign for Parkinson’s. The study, carried out by the University of Toronto, found that 80% of those suffering from rapid eye movement (REM) sleep disorders during dreaming went on to develop neurological conditions. Dr John Peever, who led the study, said: “Our research suggests sleep disorders may be an early warning sign for diseases that may appear some 15 years later in life.” “We observed that more than 80% of people who suffer from REM sleep disorder eventually develop synucleinopathies, such as Parkinson’s disease.” Dr Peever hopes that these findings will help combat neurological conditions in the future. “Much like we see in people prone to cancer, diagnosing REM disorders may allow us to provide individuals with preventative actions to keep them healthy long before they develop these more serious neurological conditions,” Dr Peever continued.

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Pig cells implanted into human brain as Parkinson’s treatment

Fruit flies help shed light on development of Parkinson’s disease

New research suggests sleep disorders could be early sign of Parkinson’s

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Pig cells implanted into human brain as Parkinson’s treatment

Fruit flies help shed light on development of Parkinson’s disease

New research suggests sleep disorders could be early sign of Parkinson’s

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