Reprogrammed cells - The promise of 'IP' stem cells

[PDConscience]

"While treatments exist for the movement disorders caused by Parkinson’s, none of them actually halt progression. Replacing the brain cells destroyed in Parkinson’s holds the promise of actually reversing the disease."

"The IPS cells appear to act virtually identically to embryonic stem cells, but don’t raise the ethical objections many have to using embryonic stem cells... These act-alike cells are not derived from embryos, but are genetically reprogrammed from adult cells, usually skin cells... Moreover, the cells can be made from the patients themselves, which is not expected to cause an immune reaction... So for the great majority of patients, transplantation of their own neurons is a promising approach to relieving symptoms, without having to take expensive and risky immunosuppressive drugs.."

*"Such a therapy has the potential to reverse the symptoms of Parkinson’s in patients by restoring their dopamine-producing neurons."

Source: sandiegouniontribune.com/bu...

[wifeofparky]

I am hopeful clinical trials will be starting soon. cannot wait to read the results.

[PDConscience in reply to wifeofparky]

Human trials for a 'parthenogenic' cell therapy are ongoing. An IPSC trial (patient's own) is planned for 2018.

[Hikoi]

This info is 20008, any update on progress - I guess parkie13s recent post. Still a few years to go it seems 😕

[PDConscience in reply to Hikoi]

Hikoi, The vdo (a plea for funding stem cell research) was recorded at a CIRM fuction in 2008. The article itself summarizes latest developments as of yesterday...

[Isthistheone]

Are brain cells destroyed in PD or are they in a hibernation like state? Didn't the GU Tasigna study suggest this. Perhaps a little of both.

[PDConscience in reply to Isthistheone]

Recent studies show the aging brain retains a certain capacity to create new brain cells. Optimum diet and lifestyle can facilitate neurogenesis but, unfortunately, not to the degree it will replace cells destroyed by PD.

[Isthistheone in reply to PDConscience]

My question remains. Has research medicine concluded that brain cells are dead or just dormant in PWP. My guess is maybe both. The Georgetown U study indicated dormancy, which before the study was not considered.

I am on Tasigna, today starts my 4th month. My Dr says 4 months is needed before any apparent effects can be noted. I'm 66 years young. It may be safe to say I've had this disease for 20 years. Four months might not be long enough. Anyways I will post my results in another 30 days.

Keep the faith and keep moving.

[PDConscience in reply to Isthistheone]

I was able to find a release from Georgetown U's 'Center for Brain Plasticity and Recovery' that concludes, "the brain is malleable and can reorganize and redirect itself". This is in regards to the brain's ability to "recover from injury". I've been unable, however, to find any Georgetown U study that indicates the likelihood that any of the approximately 50-70% of DA neurons destroyed/lost by the time symptoms first appear and PD is finally diagnosed are simply sleeping ("dormancy"). Pls provide the link to referred study (in the meantime my original answer remains).