Researchers Discover Breakthrough Stem Cell Treatment For Parkinson's Disease

By C. Rajan, contributing writer

Researchers at Lund University in Sweden have made a major breakthrough in Parkinson's disease treatment by developing stem cell-derived brain cells that can replace the cells lost due to the disease, thus paving the way for the first stem cell transplant treatment for Parkinsons patients.

Parkinson's disease, which affects about 10 million people worldwide, is a degenerative nervous system condition which causes tremors, muscle weakness, stiffness, and loss in mobility. Parkinson's is caused by loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. Dopamine is an essential neurotransmitter that is required for regulating movement and emotions.

In this study, for the first time ever, the researchers were able to convert human embryonic stem cells into dopamine producing neurons, which behaved like native dopamine cells lost in the disease.

The study was led by Malin Parmar, associate professor in Lund's Department of Medicine, and conducted at both Lund University and at MIRCen in Paris as part of the EU networks NeuroStemCell and NeuroStemcellRepair.

According to Medical News Today, the researchers produced rat models of Parkinson's disease by destroying the dopamine cells in one part of the rat's brain, and then they transplanted the new dopamine producing stem cell neurons. These next generation dopamine neurons were found to survive long term, restore the lost dopamine, and form long distance connections to the correct parts of the brain when transplanted into rats. Most excitingly, these transplanted stem cells reversed the damage from the disease.

As the new dopamine neurons have the same properties and functions of native cells lost in Parkinson's disease and can be produced in unlimited quantities from stem cell lines, this treatment shows promise in moving into clinical applications as stem cell transplants for Parkinsons.

"This study shows that we can now produce fully functioning dopamine neurons from stem cells. These cells have the same ability as the brains normal dopamine cells to not only reach but also to connect to their target area over longer distances. This has been our goal for some time, and the next step is to produce the same cells under the necessary regulations for human use. Our hope is that they are ready for clinical studies in about three years", says Malin Parmar.

Human embryonic stem cells (ESC) are powerful treatment options due to their ability to change into any cell type in the body. However, it is difficult to get them to change into the desired cell types, and research efforts are also hampered due to the ethical concerns associated with embryonic stem cells.

The study is published in the journal,Cell Stem Cell, titled Human ESC-Derived Dopamine Neurons Show Similar Preclinical Efficacy and Potency to Fetal Neurons when Grafted in a Rat Model of Parkinsons Disease.

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Researchers Discover Breakthrough Stem Cell Treatment For Parkinson's Disease

Stem cell treatment for Rafas back problem

BARCELONA, SpainRafael Nadals doctor says the 14-time Grand Slam winner will receive stem cell treatment on his ailing back.

Angel Ruiz-Cotorro told The Associated Press by phone on Monday that we are going to put cells in a joint in his spine next week in Barcelona.

The Spanish tennis star was already sidelined for the rest of the season after having his appendix removed last week.

Ruiz-Cotorro, who has worked as a doctor for Nadal for the past 14 years, said Nadals back pain is typical of tennis players and that the treatment is meant to help repair his cartilage and is similar to stem cell treatment Nadal received on his knee last year.

He said Nadal, now 28, is expected to return to training in early December.

Several NFL players and baseball players have received stem cell treatment. Nadals fellow Spaniard Pau Gasol, center of the Chicago Bulls, received stem cell treatment on his knee in 2013.

Nadal experienced severe back pain during the final of the Australian Open in January when he lost to Stanislas Wawrinka.

[Nadal] has a problem typical in tennis with a back joint, he had it at the Australian Open, and we have decided to treat it with stem cells, Ruiz-Cotorro said.

The Mallorca island native has struggled with injuries in recent years. A knee injury caused him to miss several months in 2012. AP

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Stem cell treatment for Rafas back problem

Why Stem Cells Aren’t Being Tested in the US – Video

Why Stem Cells Aren #39;t Being Tested in the US
Stem cell treatment is restricted in the United States, and we discuss the reasons the FDA has been so restrictive about the game-changing research and therapy with Dr. Neil Riordan. Patent...

By: TheLipTV

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Why Stem Cells Aren't Being Tested in the US - Video

Nadal to Receive Stem Cell Treatment for Back Pain – ABC News

Rafael Nadal's doctor says the 14-time Grand Slam winner will receive stem cell treatment on his ailing back.

Angel Ruiz-Cotorro told The Associated Press by phone on Monday that "we are going to put cells in a joint in his spine" next week in Barcelona.

The Spanish tennis star was already sidelined for the rest of the season after having his appendix removed last week.

Ruiz-Cotorro, who has worked as a doctor for Nadal for the past 14 years, said Nadal's back pain is "typical of tennis" players and that the treatment is meant to help repair his cartilage and is similar to stem cell treatment Nadal received on his knee last year.

He said Nadal is expected to return to training in early December.

Several NFL players and baseball players have received stem cell treatment. Nadal's fellow Spaniard Pau Gasol, center of the Chicago Bulls, received stem cell treatment on his knee in 2013.

Nadal experienced severe back pain during the final of the Australian Open in January when he lost to Stanislas Wawrinka.

"(Nadal) has a problem typical in tennis with a back joint, he had it at the Australian Open, and we have decided to treat it with stem cells," Ruiz-Cotorro said.

He said that stem cells were recently extracted from Nadal for a cultivation process to "produce the necessary quantities."

"When we have them we will put them in the point of pain," he said, with the goal of "regenerating cartilage, in the midterm, and producing an anti-inflammatory effect."

See original here:
Nadal to Receive Stem Cell Treatment for Back Pain - ABC News

Rafael Nadal to receive stem cell treatment for back pain

Updated NOV 10, 2014 8:59p ET

BARCELONA, Spain

Rafael Nadal's doctor says the 14-time Grand Slam winner will receive stem cell treatment on his ailing back.

Angel Ruiz-Cotorro told The Associated Press by phone on Monday that "we are going to put cells in a joint in his spine" next week in Barcelona.

The Spanish tennis star was already sidelined for the rest of the season after having his appendix removed last week.

Ruiz-Cotorro, who has worked as a doctor for Nadal for the past 14 years, said Nadal's back pain is "typical of tennis" players and that the treatment is meant to help repair his cartilage and is similar to stem cell treatment Nadal received on his knee last year.

He said Nadal is expected to return to training in early December.

Several NFL players and baseball players have received stem cell treatment. Nadal's fellow Spaniard Pau Gasol, center of the Chicago Bulls, received stem cell treatment on his knee in 2013.

Nadal experienced severe back pain during the final of the Australian Open in January when he lost to Stanislas Wawrinka.

Read more from the original source:
Rafael Nadal to receive stem cell treatment for back pain

Stem cell treatment for Nadal on injured back

Rafael Nadal's doctor says the 14-time Grand Slam winner will receive stem cell treatment on his ailing back.

Angel Ruiz-Cotorro said that ''we are going to put cells in a joint in his spine'' next week in Barcelona.

The Spanish tennis star was already sidelined for the rest of the season after having his appendix removed last week.

Ruiz-Cotorro, who has worked as a doctor for Nadal for the past 14 years, said Nadal's back pain is ''typical of tennis'' players and that the treatment is meant to help repair his cartilage and is similar to stem cell treatment Nadal received on his knee last year.

He said Nadal is expected to return to training in early December.

Several NFL players and baseball players have received stem cell treatment. Nadal's fellow Spaniard Pau Gasol, center of the Chicago Bulls, received stem cell treatment on his knee in 2013.

Nadal experienced severe back pain during the final of the Australian Open in January when he lost to Stanislas Wawrinka.

''(Nadal) has a problem typical in tennis with a back joint, he had it at the Australian Open, and we have decided to treat it with stem cells,'' Ruiz-Cotorro said.

He said that stem cells were recently extracted from Nadal for a cultivation process to ''produce the necessary quantities.''

''When we have them we will put them in the point of pain,'' he said, with the goal of ''regenerating cartilage, in the midterm, and producing an anti-inflammatory effect.''

Read the original:
Stem cell treatment for Nadal on injured back

Nadal to receive stem cell treatment

Rafael Nadal's doctor says the tennis star will receive stem cell treatment on his ailing back.

Rafael Nadal's doctor says the 14-time grand slam winner will receive stem cell treatment on his ailing back.

Angel Ruiz-Cotorro told AP by phone on Monday that "we are going to put cells in a joint in his spine" next week in Barcelona.

The Spanish tennis star was already sidelined for the rest of the season after having his appendix removed last week.

Ruiz-Cotorro, who has worked as a doctor for Nadal for the past 14 years, said Nadal's back pain is "typical of tennis" players and that the treatment is meant to help repair his cartilage and is similar to stem cell treatment Nadal received on his knee last year.

He said Nadal is expected to return to training in early December.

Several NFL players and baseball players have received stem cell treatment.

Nadal's fellow Spaniard Pau Gasol, centre of the Chicago Bulls, received stem cell treatment on his knee in 2013.

Nadal experienced severe back pain during the final of the Australian Open in January when he lost to Stanislas Wawrinka.

"(Nadal) has a problem typical in tennis with a back joint, he had it at the Australian Open, and we have decided to treat it with stem cells," Ruiz-Cotorro said.

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Nadal to receive stem cell treatment

Nadal to have stem cell treatment

Rafael Nadal was bothered by back pain in the Australian Open final. Photo: AFP

Rafael Nadal's doctor says the 14-time grand slam winner will receive stem cell treatment on his ailing back.

Angel Ruiz-Cotorro told AP by phone on Monday that "we are going to put cells in a joint in his spine" next week in Barcelona.

The Spanish tennis star was already sidelined for the rest of the season after having his appendix removed last week.

Ruiz-Cotorro, who has worked as a doctor for Nadal for the past 14 years, said Nadal's back pain is "typical of tennis" players and that the treatment is meant to help repair his cartilage and is similar to stem cell treatment Nadal received on his knee last year.

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He said Nadal is expected to return to training in early December.

Several NFL players and baseball players have received stem cell treatment.

Nadal's fellow Spaniard Pau Gasol, centre of the Chicago Bulls, received stem cell treatment on his knee in 2013.

Nadal experienced severe back pain during the final of the Australian Open in January when he lost to Stanislas Wawrinka.

Go here to read the rest:
Nadal to have stem cell treatment

Rafael Nadal to undergo stem-cell treatments on his injured back

Rafael Nadal battled a back injury throughout the 2014 season after hurting it during the Australian Open final in January. Its lingered for so long that now hes trying something a little different in his attempt to get back on the court.

Heres the Associated Press:

Rafael Nadals doctor says the 14-time Grand Slam winner will receive stem cell treatment on his ailing back.

Angel Ruiz-Cotorro told The Associated Press by phone on Monday that we are going to put cells in a joint in his spine next week in Barcelona.

The Spanish tennis star was already sidelined for the rest of the season after having his appendix removed last week.

Ruiz-Cotorro, who has worked as a doctor for Nadal for the past 14 years, said Nadals back pain is typical of tennis players and that the treatment is meant to help repair his cartilage and is similar to stem cell treatment Nadal received on his knee last year.

Ruiz-Cotorro continued with the explanation of the treatment:

(Nadal) has a problem typical in tennis with a back joint, he had it at the Australian Open, and we have decided to treat it with stem cells, Ruiz-Cotorro said.

He said that stem cells were recently extracted from Nadal for a cultivation process to produce the necessary quantities.

When we have them we will put them in the point of pain, he said, with the goal of regenerating cartilage, in the midterm, and producing an anti-inflammatory effect.

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Rafael Nadal to undergo stem-cell treatments on his injured back

Rafael Nadal to receive stem cell treatment

Rafael Nadal was bothered by back pain in the Australian Open final. Photo: AFP

Rafael Nadal's doctor says the 14-time grand slam winner will receive stem cell treatment on his ailing back.

Angel Ruiz-Cotorro told AP by phone on Monday that "we are going to put cells in a joint in his spine" next week in Barcelona.

The Spanish tennis star was already sidelined for the rest of the season after having his appendix removed last week.

Ruiz-Cotorro, who has worked as a doctor for Nadal for the past 14 years, said Nadal's back pain is "typical of tennis" players and that the treatment is meant to help repair his cartilage and is similar to stem cell treatment Nadal received on his knee last year.

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He said Nadal is expected to return to training in early December.

Several NFL players and baseball players have received stem cell treatment.

Nadal's fellow Spaniard Pau Gasol, centre of the Chicago Bulls, received stem cell treatment on his knee in 2013.

Nadal experienced severe back pain during the final of the Australian Open in January when he lost to Stanislas Wawrinka.

Excerpt from:
Rafael Nadal to receive stem cell treatment