Posted on 11/10/2018 6:36:21 PM PST by Olog-hai
Japanese researchers said Friday they have transplanted stem cells into the brain of a patient in the first stage of an innovative trial to cure Parkinson’s disease.
The research team at Kyoto University injected induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) cells — which have the potential to develop into any cell in the body — into the brain of a male patient in his fifties, the university said in a press release.
The man was stable after the operation, which was performed last month, and he will now be monitored for two years, the university added.
The researchers injected 2.4 million iPS cells into the left side of the patient’s brain, in an operation that took about three hours. If no problems are observed in the coming six months, they will implant another 2.4 million cells into the right side.
The iPS cells from healthy donors have been developed into the precursors of dopamine-producing brain cells, which are no longer present in people with Parkinson’s disease. […]
The human trial comes after an earlier trial involving monkeys. […]
iPS cells are created by stimulating mature already-specialized cells back into a juvenile state — basically cloning without the need for an embryo. …
(Excerpt) Read more at afp.com ...
Fascinating.
The only problem would be if the stem cells over grow or mutate, which I guess could cause convulsions or the like, but if it can truly cure Parkinson’s, it would be great.
Isn’t dopamine insensitivity also a problem with Parkinson’s?
I have a question.
If you were allowed to have a choice, would you choose a shorter but healthy life right up to the end, or a very long life fraught with the normal illnesses that accompany aging ?
Whatever happened to embryonic stem cells? At one time that was a bigger scam than global warming.
“——or a very long life fraught with the normal illnesses that accompany aging ?”
I don’t know if you are questioning everyone——but that’s my choice-——life is precious.
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Sounds good. But.... what if the healthy donor cells decide to quit producing dopamine once they are in your brain ?
Maybe the reason the your original brain cells quit producing dopamine is because of you, not the cells.
Yes, I was throwing the question out to everyone.
Thank you, I appreciate your answer.
I’d choose the first, as I have Type 1 diabetes anyway, so I’ll end up with one no matter what.
I’ll take the long road, with the unknown.
I’ll take Option 1 every time.
Bah, hundreds of refugees could do this with their eyes closed.
(obvious sarcasm should be obvious...)
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/the-washington-post-sunday/20070624/282200826505588
Dr Robert Iacono tried this, with fetal stem cells, back in 1989, and since he couldn't find a hospital in the US that would permit it, he dragged his patient, one Max Truex, to a clinic in Zhengzhou, China, where he had no problem in "acquiring" fetal cells.
The Chinese and Iacono were somewhat casual about separating out the proper cells, and when the autopsy was performed, on Truex's brain, they found foetal teeth, hair, bone...
I’ll take half and half, long healthy life free of pain and suffering then dying in my sleep...........
The Lord may have other plans for me though.
Which ever brings more Glory to my Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, I know He will lead me through.
Quality of life doesn’t have to mean shorter... a full life is the key... all the time I don’t spend exercising can come off the top, and I will still be ahead... yolo baby.
P.S. My reference to “you” and “your” was not meant to apply to you. It was to apply to a person with Parkinson’s disease, and that it could be their subconscious or body itself that decides to quit working properly.
The body seems to have a ‘mind’ of it’s own.
Most likely host issues cause the disease but now they can monitor effectiveness of treatment and changes in transplanted cells...cells...we’ll see
I’m sure that’s all true, but...
Why do cells decide to quit producing dopamine ?
Why does one cell decide to be a hair cell and another a liver cell ?
Was just rereading your statement and I really agree with your using the phrase 'host issues'. That one phrase may mean more than we think.
The article indicates they used adult stem cells this time.
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