An account of a brain cell transplant

[Zardoz]

This stem cell transplant did not produce a cure but it is an interesting read to understand where the state of medicine is right now regarding a cure or at least a treatment for Parkinson's disease.

statnews.com/2020/05/12/med...

[pdkid]

Forget Netflix, this reading is a real Blockbuster!

I think it's hopeful! And amazing that Millionaire Doc Lopez helped accelerate this study.

Wow, I'm also happy for him, thinking about having even 2 days of his old mobility back.

"Kim’s recipe was a bespoke version of one that, in essence, puts adult cells into a “Back to the Future” DeLorean. And once they had traveled back in time, developmentally speaking, all it took was a little encouragement (in the form of nutrients and other biochemicals) to make those iPS cells turn into any of the body’s specialized cells — such as the brain neurons that produce the neurotransmitter dopamine."

[PDConscience]

That’s an amazing saga of how one person’s desperation - coupled with wads of cash and a bit of latitude on FDA’s “compassionate use” designation - can sometimes advance the science a couple steps.

I look forward to the bigger strides in IPSC therapy likely to result from the combo of talent and financial backing that comprises the more recently formed Aspen Neuroscience: techcrunch.com/2020/04/01/a...

[Zardoz in reply to PDConscience]

There is a follow up to the story with some, including Doctor Jeanne Loring being critical of the fact that an individual personally funded research with himself being the subject of the experiment. The comment after the article show many are not in agreement.

statnews.com/2020/05/14/eth...

[PDConscience in reply to PDConscience]

Yes, despite making a couple steps forward in the science, it does risk setting a bad precedent. The idea of researchers subscribing to and following the tenets of the GForce PD consortium seems to make sense.