The Japanese seem to be making some real advances in stem cell treatment. I've read a couple of articles recently. I hope that it continues to give good results when the studies are larger.
September 4
Is stem cell research a potential breakthrough for Parkinson's disease? It's an exciting area, and there is genuine reason for optimism — though it's still early days.
While the search results don't cover stem cells directly, related research into restoring damaged brain cells is showing real promise. One area of active Show Full Answer
Is stem cell research a potential breakthrough for Parkinson's disease? It's an exciting area, and there is genuine reason for optimism — though it's still early days.
While the search results don't cover stem cells directly, related research into restoring damaged brain cells is showing real promise. One area of active research involves delivering special "growth factor" proteins directly to the brain to try to reawaken and restore the dopamine-producing brain cells that Parkinson's gradually destroys. Here's what's worth knowing about where brain-restoration research currently stands:
- Early clinical trials have shown some of the most compelling evidence yet that damaged dopamine brain cells may be restorable
- Brain imaging in trials has shown improvements beyond anything previously seen in similar approaches
- Researchers are cautious — trials so far have been small, and more research is needed
- Gene therapy is another parallel avenue being explored, with some patients showing sustained improvement in movement symptoms at the one-year mark
The field is moving fast, and each discovery builds on the last. It's worth asking a neurologist about any clinical trials that might be relevant, as new studies are actively recruiting participants.
September 4
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