After learning about the basics of stem cells and what they are, it is time to learn more about the applications of these cells, and how they are currently used in scientific research today. Stem cell research applies to many diseases, though one dangerous though crucial one is Parkinson’s disease (PD).
PD is a neurodevelopmental disorder in the brain without a current cure. It usually involves motor symptoms, including increased tremors, muscle stiffness, slowness of movement, and impaired balance, all due to the loss of neurons that produce dopamine. Dopamine is an important neurotransmitter that controls movement.
The lack of a cure for this disease indicates that some medications can alleviate the motor symptoms, though the progression of the disease is not slowed. It is also suggested that individuals may benefit from deep brain stimulation (DBS), a brain surgery technique.
So, where do stem cells come into play in terms of PD research? Well, current stem cell research studies have been focused on locating different methods of regenerating, repairing, or replacing the lost dopamine cells so that in turn, proper functioning can be restored. This research is part of a field called regenerative medicine, which is greatly involved with the concept of neurogenesis.
Researchers have been said to be tracking cell markers to learn more about the stem cells that could potentially be involved with aiding symptoms of PD, and under what conditions. They are highly interested in finding cues that neural stem cells utilize to be able to differentiate into dopamine-creating cells. These cues may have to do with decoding signals in the brain which allow transplanted cells to survive, integrate and function accordingly.
Recently, it has been found that transplanted neural cells have something called a ‘homing instinct,’ which leads them to gravitate to an injured part of the brain that requires regeneration. This leads us to a great interest in the future of stem cell research, which especially will focus on long-term studies that seek to determine if transplanted stem cells will degrade, just like the original dopamine cells in PD patients do.
Much of this research is being conducted by Parkinson Society Canada, which is committed to discovering a cure for PD, supporting stem cell research.
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Stem Cell Research and Parkinson’s Disease. [accessed 2020 Oct 5]. https://www.parkinson.ca/wp-content/uploads/stem-cells-Pamphlet-en.pdf