Can Stem Cells Treat Parkinson’s Disease?

[@annegordon6725]

I found this video extremely informative having been diagnosed with PD in June 2021. I pray for a cure for this terrible disease in years not decades.

[@LivedHealthParks]

I completely agree. It would be wonderful to see a cure become available in the near future. In the meantime, we'll stay positive and focus on the treatments and therapies that can help manage the symptoms and bring you updates as and when they are available 🤞

[@annegordon6725]

@LivedHealth Parkinson's Look forward to the updates. It's hard to stay positive all the time but the cure/slowing progression cure has to be there 🙏

[@LivedHealthParks]

So are we 🤞 It takes serious mental strength to stay positive, and it's definitely not possible 24/7. Don't be too hard on yourself if you have an off day!

[@amymac3099]

Could this treatment help corticobasal degeneration as dopamine is a big factor in this disease

[@LivedHealthParks]

Thanks for your comment, Amy. It's hard to generalise from Parkinson's to CBD since the latter is caused by a build up of a specific protein (tau) and can be secondary to other neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's. If you're interested to know how this differs, we have a video all about the causes of Parkinson's ➡ bit.ly/WhatIsPD_LH

[@uquantum]

Terrific content and well-presented!

[@AsadPlays777]

Thanks for sharing. Can you guide us on when will the stem therapy be available on commercial scale

[@LivedHealthParks]

Glad you enjoyed! If you watch chapter 6 (from 10:20) Jodie asks this key question. You may also find the penultimate chapter (8:01) discussing ongoing clinical trials valuable.

[@JohnWilczak]

I. Have a cord blood for my two sons circa 2002, 2007 and has been cryogenically stored . I’m told that they could retrieve stem cells from this cord blood for my pd treatment. How do I determine this viability and who could perform such a process and test me for cord blood stem cell generation? Thanks for your earliest reply, John.

[@LivedHealthParks]

Hi John, that sounds really interesting and a great way to harvest stem cells. I'd suggest speaking to your local healthcare provider about this or reaching out to a specialist online if you haven't already about how to progress. Keep us updated and we can share this with others!

[@annasophiaa.7142]

What specific studies are being referenced here? Is there a pubmed link?

[@LivedHealthParks]

There are many papers on this topic, but this one gives a good overview: www.cell.com/cell-stem-cell/pdf/S1934-5909(17)30382-X.pdf

[@davidlo168888]

Stem cell therapy is to help those endogenous stem cells to clear away so-called inhibitory molecues, such as AGEs (advanced glycation endproducts), ALEs, etc. so that its regenerative potentials can be triggered for regeneration, i.e. dedifferentiation, differentiation and proliferation. Autologous and/or allogeneic stem cells therpay are entirely wrong and will cause horrible side effects.

[@CBU-j2v]

IF a therapy was developed to coerse other cells in the brain to become dopamine cells, what would stop a hypersaturation of the coersed cell? If cell 2a is coerced how can it be limited to assure ALL 2a cells don't transform, thereby starving the brain of the cells original job? Im 6 years post diagnosis.

[@greyeyed123]

I understand your concern, but there have been many trials, animal experiments, etc., so if this was a real problem or concern, it would be made clear by now, even to us lay people. My mother is on year 13 (almost 14) post diagnosis, getting Deep Brain Stimulation surgery in '21.

[@ascenjoe]

Are you suggesting that the results could continue to improve after 5 years? And possibly last for 29 or more years? Thank you very much!

[@LivedHealthParks]

My understanding is that the original cell transplantation experiments done as far back as the 1980s using foetal nerve tissue restored dopamine production in some patients for 15-18 years. See for example www.cell.com/fulltext/S2211-1247(14)00419-7. After some years, the transplanted cells also develop signs of Parkinson's but they are still able to restore motor function for a period of time that is significantly beneficial for patients. The challenge now is to achieve the same thing with stem cells and turn this into a reliable mainstream therapy. I personally think this has a good chance of becoming a reality. Jodie.

[@ascenjoe]

@@LivedHealthParks thank you!

[@ahmedi9407]

Hope that

[@Ann-sf6od]

Do trials involving stem cells appear to indicate a reversal of some symptpms or merely slowed progression?

[@LivedHealthParks]

Yes, by replacing some of the lost dopaminergic cells, motor symptoms have been significantly improved in some patients. The disease itself is still present and the transplanted cells also start to show signs of Parkinson's but because the disease progresses slowly this doesn't matter so much.