Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Parkinson's disease and demonstrated the long-term safety and therapeutic effects
of this approach.
Dr. Levesque's team was able to isolate patient-derived neural stem cells, multi-
ply them in vitro, and ultimately differentiate them to produce mature neurons
before they are reintroduced into the brain. The team was able to inject the adult
stem cells without the need for immunosuppressants.
Unlike embryonic stem cells, adult stem cell injections do not cause a patient's
immune system to reject the cells. These adult stem cells were highly beneficial for
the patient involved in the study.
Of particular note are the striking results this study yielded—for the 5 years fol-
lowing the procedure the patient's motor scales improved by over 80% for at least
36 months. A larger clinical trial would replicate the findings. While the data show
that the technique needs refinement, this patient went for several years with little to
no symptoms of this disease, even with only half of the brain treated with his own
adult stem cells [
57
] .
Stem Cell Transplant Research, Parkinson's Disease
Future will show whether the results will continue to prove that adult stem cells
outpace their embryonic counterparts. Does it mean that we need to take notice that
it is not embryonic stem cells that provide promise of treatments in the future, but
rather it is adult stem cells that are already providing safe and effective therapies for
patients now, without the problems of rejection or tumors? The future work will
show, since we can learn just from our work (Fig.
17.1
).
Fig. 17.1
Stem cell transplant research, Parkinson's disease
