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Parkinson's stem cell 'breakthrough' | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Stem cells can be used to heal the damage in the brain caused by Parkinson's disease, according to scientists in Sweden. | Stem cells can be used to heal the damage in the brain caused by Parkinson's disease, according to scientists in Sweden. |
They said their study on rats heralded a "huge breakthrough" towards developing effective treatments. | They said their study on rats heralded a "huge breakthrough" towards developing effective treatments. |
There is no cure for the disease, but medication and brain stimulation can alleviate symptoms. | There is no cure for the disease, but medication and brain stimulation can alleviate symptoms. |
Parkinson's UK said there were many questions still to be answered before human trials could proceed. | Parkinson's UK said there were many questions still to be answered before human trials could proceed. |
The disease is caused by the loss of nerve cells in the brain that produce the chemical dopamine ,which helps to control mood and movement. | The disease is caused by the loss of nerve cells in the brain that produce the chemical dopamine ,which helps to control mood and movement. |
To simulate Parkinson's, Lund University researchers killed dopamine-producing neurons on one side of the rats' brains. | To simulate Parkinson's, Lund University researchers killed dopamine-producing neurons on one side of the rats' brains. |
They then converted human embryonic stem cells into neurons that produced dopamine. | They then converted human embryonic stem cells into neurons that produced dopamine. |
These were injected into the rats' brains, and the researchers found evidence that the damage was reversed. | These were injected into the rats' brains, and the researchers found evidence that the damage was reversed. |
There have been no human clinical trials of stem-cell-derived neurons, but the researchers said they could be ready for testing by 2017. | There have been no human clinical trials of stem-cell-derived neurons, but the researchers said they could be ready for testing by 2017. |
Malin Parmar, associate professor of developmental and regenerative neurobiology, said: "It's a huge breakthrough in the field [and] a stepping stone towards clinical trials." | Malin Parmar, associate professor of developmental and regenerative neurobiology, said: "It's a huge breakthrough in the field [and] a stepping stone towards clinical trials." |
A similar method has been tried in a limited number of patients. | A similar method has been tried in a limited number of patients. |
It involved taking brain tissue from multiple aborted foetuses to heal the brain. | It involved taking brain tissue from multiple aborted foetuses to heal the brain. |
Clinical trials were abandoned after mixed results, but about a third of the patients had foetal brain cells that functioned for 25 years. | Clinical trials were abandoned after mixed results, but about a third of the patients had foetal brain cells that functioned for 25 years. |
Using embryonic stem cells may be preferable, as it is easier to get hold of the large numbers of cells needed for transplant by growing them in the laboratory. | Using embryonic stem cells may be preferable, as it is easier to get hold of the large numbers of cells needed for transplant by growing them in the laboratory. |
It also opens up the possibility of using less ethically charged sources of stem cells, such as those made from adult tissue. | It also opens up the possibility of using less ethically charged sources of stem cells, such as those made from adult tissue. |
The charity Parkinson's UK said the research "could be a stride towards clinical trials in people with Parkinson's". | The charity Parkinson's UK said the research "could be a stride towards clinical trials in people with Parkinson's". |
Its director of research and development, Arthur Roach, said: "This important research is a key step along the way in helping us to understand how stem cells might shape future Parkinson's treatments. | Its director of research and development, Arthur Roach, said: "This important research is a key step along the way in helping us to understand how stem cells might shape future Parkinson's treatments. |
"There are important potential advantages of these cells over the foetal-derived cells used in past cell transplantation work. | "There are important potential advantages of these cells over the foetal-derived cells used in past cell transplantation work. |
"This study could be a stride towards clinical trials in people with Parkinson's but there are still many questions that need to be answered before this development can be tested in people with the condition." | "This study could be a stride towards clinical trials in people with Parkinson's but there are still many questions that need to be answered before this development can be tested in people with the condition." |