PARKINSON'S DISEASE NEWS

15th May 2011 - New research

RETINAL STEM CELLS FAIL TO RID PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Lancet Neurology [2011] May 10 [Epub ahead of print] (Gross RE, Watts RL, Hauser RA, Bakay RA, Reichmann H, von Kummer R, Ondo WG, Reissig E, Eisner W, Steiner-Schulze H, Siedentop H, Fichte K, Hong W, Cornfeldt M, Beebe K, Sandbrink R) Complete abstract

Human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells in the eyes also produce L-dopa. So their transplantation into the brain of people with Parkinson's Disease was considered to be able to improve the continuity of the administration of L-dopa better than the use of oral L-dopa. Researchers aimed to assess the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of transplantation of human retinal pigment epithelial cells into people with advanced Parkinson's Disease. Around 650,000 cells were injected in to the brain of each patient.  Each person's symptoms were then assessed after a year.

However, it was found that the treatment made no difference at all concerning their Parkinson's Disease symptoms. The method also caused adverse events, most of which were neurological or psychiatric. The authors of the research concluded that transplantation of human retinal pigment epithelial cells provided no benefit for Parkinson's Disease. A previous study found that the transplanted retinal cells simply failed to survive. For more information go to Retinal stem cells disappear after surgery. For more current news go to Parkinson's Disease News.

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Parkinson's Disease News details all significant new research, news reports, new books, and new resources concerning Parkinson's Disease and those medical disorders that often coincide with Parkinson's Disease. It is compiled from an analysis of  all newly published research, news reports, new clinical trials, all newly published books, and new web sites. A summary and analysis of the new research are provided,  as well as links to the complete abstracts and news reports