Stem cell therapies and Parkinson’s – Michael J Fox Foundation webinar

Resources & Tools

Author: Joe McAweaneyPublished: 15 August 2019

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Tune in to the latest webinar in The Michael J Fox Foundation’s Third Thursdays series for an expert discussion on stem cell therapies and its potential treatments for Parkinson’s

The next episode of The Michael J Fox Foundation’s Third Thursdays webinar series will focus on stem cell therapies for Parkinson’s.

In the free hour-long webinar, a panel of Parkinson’s experts will discuss the status of stem cell therapies – and how they could be used to treat Parkinson’s. Panellists will also answer a range of questions on Parkinson’s from listeners.

There has been significant research into Parkinson’s and stem cells therapies, with studies suggesting that genetically edited cells may be able to counter the effects of the condition.

Last year, scientists from Kyoto University, Japan, carried out a world first trial – transplanting reprogrammed stem cells into people with Parkinson’s.

And in January, a team from the University of Edinburgh, UK, created Parkinson’s resistant stem cells. As part of the study, published in the ‘European Journal of Neuroscience’, the team used gene editing techniques to remove the alpha-synuclein protein from stem cells – preventing them from developing the condition.

To listen to this webinar, listeners must register here up to 15 minutes before it’s start time at 12:00 EST. If you cannot make the live broadcast, you can visit the archive to listen to a recording.

Cramping more than your style

Last Month

Next Month

Go Back

Share this story

Comments

Health & Fitness

Let’s talk about sex (and Parkinson’s)

How do you deal with sexuality and intimacy in Parkinson's?

Thousands release red balloons to highlight chronic pain in Parkinson’s

Join the social media campaign to raise awareness of chronic pain

Advances

Deep brain stimulation: the future is personalised

Two experts on how “dual targeting” is changing DBS treatment for Parki

Research offers new insights on a cause of Parkinson’s disease

Researchers in Denmark have shared insights on a cause of up to 95% of Parkinson’s disease cases. Using data on gene patterns and three mouse models, scientists at the University of Copenhagen found that a blockage to a pathway regulating mitochondria (‘powerhouses’ that generate energy for reactions in cells) causes a form of the condition known as ‘sporadic Parkinson’s disease’. When the pathway becomes blocked by a protein, damaged mitochondria accumulate, unable to produce enough energy – which in turn causes nerve cells to die. “Just like when people eat, cells take what they need and get rid of … waste products,” explained corresponding study author Professor Shohreh Issazadeh-Navikas. “But if our brain cells have this specific kind of signalling blockage, it means that the powerhouse of the cell – mitochondria – cannot get cleaned up after being damaged.” The team now plan to investigate the pathway’s role in neuronal…

Could dance help to treat Parkinson’s disease?

Dance training with music could help slow the progression of mild-to-moderate Parkinson’s disease, researchers at York University in Canada have found. As part of the study, the researchers followed 16 participants with Parkinson’s disease who attended weekly dance classes between 2014 and 2017. The research team compared them to 16 people with Parkinson’s who did not take part in the classes. The research team found that the motor and non-motor symptoms of those who took part in the dance classes improved or did not progress over time – while those who did not participate showed a continual decline. “Dance is so complex,” said study author, PhD candidate Karolina Bearss. “It’s a multi-sensory type of environment. It incorporates and stimulates your auditory, tactile, visual and kinaesthetic senses and adds an interactive social aspect. Regular exercise does not offer these aspects. There’s so much more to dance.”

Vineyard pesticides may be linked to Parkinson’s disease

Exposure to pesticides used in vineyards could be linked to an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease, according to researchers in France. As part of their study, the team used a health insurance database to identify farmers in France who had been diagnosed with the condition. They then compared these records with data combining an agriculture census and pesticide expenditures across regions of varying farming types, including vineyards. They found that areas with vineyards that lacked designation of origin, and spent the most on pesticides, were associated with a 16% higher incidence of Parkinson’s. “This result suggests that agricultural practices and pesticides used in these vineyards may play a role in Parkinson’s disease,” the researchers concluded, “and that farmers in these farms should benefit from preventive measures aiming at reducing exposure.”

All fields required

First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Enter Email Confirm Email
Country of residence*
About me*
- I have Parkinson's disease
- I am a partner / carer / family / friend of someone who has Parkinson's
- I am a healthcare professional with an interest in Parkinson's
- I work for a Parkinson's disease organisation
- Other
CAPTCHA
*
- By proceeding you agree to our
Name
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Stem cell therapies and Parkinson’s – Michael J Fox Foundation webinar

Resources & Tools

Author: Joe McAweaneyPublished: 15 August 2019

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Health & Fitness

Let’s talk about sex (and Parkinson’s)

Global update

Thousands release red balloons to highlight chronic pain in Parkinson’s

sponsored article

Advances

Deep brain stimulation: the future is personalised

Research offers new insights on a cause of Parkinson’s disease

Could dance help to treat Parkinson’s disease?

Vineyard pesticides may be linked to Parkinson’s disease

{title}

Subscribe

Stem cell therapies and Parkinson’s – Michael J Fox Foundation webinar

Resources & Tools

Author: Joe McAweaneyPublished: 15 August 2019

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Related articles

Health & Fitness

Let’s talk about sex (and Parkinson’s)

Global update

Thousands release red balloons to highlight chronic pain in Parkinson’s

sponsored article

Advances

Deep brain stimulation: the future is personalised

Research offers new insights on a cause of Parkinson’s disease

Could dance help to treat Parkinson’s disease?

Vineyard pesticides may be linked to Parkinson’s disease

{title}

Subscribe

Sign in