Scientists receive $ 2.4 million grant to advance stem cell therapy for Parkinson's disease -
Scientists at the Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) Scripps Clinic and received a grant of nearly $ 2.4 million California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) to support the testing of potential stem cell therapy for Parkinson safety and quality.
The new two-year project will be led by Jeanne Loring, a professor of developmental neurobiology at TSRI. Loring will be in partnership with Melissa Houser, M.D., neurologist and medical director of the disease and Parkinson Movement Disorders Center at Scripps Clinic.
"The goal is to restore the quality of life of Parkinson's patients," said Loring. "The methods we use will raise the bar for quality significantly for all kinds of cell therapy."
"What sets our study apart from many others is that it is specific patient," said Dr. Houser. "Our hope is that this grant will start a new era in treatment long-term Parkinson's disease. "
strikes Parkinson's disease where the specialized neurons in the brain begin to die. These neurons produce dopamine, a chemical messenger that keeps nerve models normal shooting. without dopamine, patients suffer from tremors, lack of balance and even slurred speech.
for the study, the laboratory will investigate Loring induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which are derived from subjects adults and can differentiate into any cell type in the body. in this case, derived iPS cells donated by 10 Scripps Clinic Parkinson's patients were developed into dopamine-producing neurons, the same kind that die during of Parkinson's disease.
The new grant will allow researchers to advance these cells by US Food and Drug Administration requirements for preclinical trials, hoping to get closer to clinical trials.
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