World-first Parkinson’s stem cells trial

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Author: Simge Eva DoganPublished: 9 August 2018

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Scientists at a Japanese university will carry out a world-first clinical trial transplanting reprogrammed stem cells into the brains of seven people with Parkinson’s.

Researchers believe the process – which was tested on monkeys last year – will allow the brain to create dopamine to counter the effects of Parkinson’s.

Shinya Yamanaka, who is working on the study and won the Nobel Prize in 2012 for his work with stem cells, said: “We intend to carry on conducting our research carefully, yet expeditiously, in coordination with Kyoto University Hospital, so that new treatment will be brought to patients as soon as possible.”

Researchers are hoping to create a treatment that will be covered by national health insurance in Japan.

To read more on this topic click here.

For more information on the latest Parkinson’s research please visit the EPDA website.

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A “revolutionary” step in stem cell therapy for Parkinson’s disease?

Scientists in China have developed a method to help improve stem cell research in mice models of Parkinson’s – which could potentially lead to promising new treatments. The researchers, based at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, identified two cell surface markers of dopamine neurons, which are reduced in Parkinson’s. They injected cells with these markers into the brains of the mice and found that this resulted in “higher therapeutic potency” for improving motor symptoms of the condition. As part of their research, the team also worked to control the variability of donor cells, to help improve therapeutic outcomes for Parkinson’s cell therapy. The researchers, whose study was published in ‘The Journal of Clinical Investigation’, described the findings as a “revolutionary step on the road towards more effective and safer stem cell therapies”.

Could frequent nightmares be an early sign of Parkinson’s disease?

A new study has suggested that experiencing recurrent nightmares and bad dreams could be an early symptom of Parkinson’s disease. Researchers from the University of Birmingham, UK, used data from an existing US study that followed 3818 men, aged 67 or older, over a period of 12 years. Participants who reported experiencing bad dreams at least once a week were followed up. During the follow up, 91 people were diagnosed with Parkinson’s. The results suggested that participants who had frequent bad dreams were twice as likely to develop the condition as those who did not. Commenting on the study, lead author Dr Abidemi Otaiku said: “While we need to carry out further research, identifying the significance of bad dreams and nightmares could indicate that individuals who experience changes to their dreams in older age – without any obvious trigger – should seek medical advice.”

More than £2m awarded to research on mitochondria and Parkinson’s disease

Researchers at UK biotech startup NRG Therapeutics are developing potential treatments that may help slow the progression of Parkinson’s by protecting the mitochondria – a part of every human cell that works to power chemical reactions. The company has now received a £2.68m award from government-backed agency Innovate UK to continue its research. Their research built upon previous findings that damage to mitochondria in the substantia nigra – an area of the brain associated with dopamine – may be linked to Parkinson’s. The scientists developed molecules that keep a ‘pore’ in the mitochondria closed, which stops calcium flowing into it, preventing a process that eventually ruptures the powerhouse of the cell and leads to its death. The new funding award follows previous investment from Parkinson’s UK and the Michael J Fox Foundation.

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World-first Parkinson’s stem cells trial

News

Author: Simge Eva DoganPublished: 9 August 2018

Prep: Cook: Serves:

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Air time: the radio station that’s giving people with Parkinson’s a voice

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“Many patients still receive the Parkinson’s diagnosis late”

Interviews

Telling the stories behind Parkinson’s

A “revolutionary” step in stem cell therapy for Parkinson’s disease?

Could frequent nightmares be an early sign of Parkinson’s disease?

More than £2m awarded to research on mitochondria and Parkinson’s disease

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World-first Parkinson’s stem cells trial

News

Author: Simge Eva DoganPublished: 9 August 2018

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Related articles

Perspectives

Air time: the radio station that’s giving people with Parkinson’s a voice

In my country

“Many patients still receive the Parkinson’s diagnosis late”

Interviews

Telling the stories behind Parkinson’s

A “revolutionary” step in stem cell therapy for Parkinson’s disease?

Could frequent nightmares be an early sign of Parkinson’s disease?

More than £2m awarded to research on mitochondria and Parkinson’s disease

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