Stem Cell Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease

Stem Cell Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease Latest News

Researchers at Kyoto University conducted a Phase I/II clinical trial to assess the safety and side effects of stem cell therapy using dopaminergic progenitors derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).

About Parkinson’s Disease

• Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that causes the progressive loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain.
• Dopamine is a critical neurotransmitter responsible for regulating motor functions.
• The conventional treatment mainly involves dopaminergic medications, but these do not restore lost neurons and may have long-term side effects.

‹ ›

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs)

• iPSCs are pluripotent stem cells generated from adult somatic cells (like skin or blood).
• They are reprogrammed to an embryonic-like state, allowing them to develop into any human cell type.
• Used in:
  • Diabetes (converted into beta cells),
  • Leukaemia (to generate new blood cells),
  • Neurological diseases.
• iPSCs are valuable in drug testing, disease modelling, and transplantation medicine.

Stem Cells

• Stem cells are undifferentiated primitive cells capable of developing into specialised cells like blood, muscle, or liver cells.
• Their ability to self-renew and differentiate makes them vital for regeneration and repair.
• Found in:
  • Bone marrow,
  • Gastrointestinal tract (divide regularly),
  • Less active in organs like the pancreas or the heart (divide under specific conditions).

Types of Stem Cells: Embryonic vs Adult Stem Cells

Source: TH