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semiotic_pirateI did a research paper on embryonic stem cell research back in 1997 for a Biology paper - it was at least 15 pages long. I've been watching this technology very closely, the possibilities are enormous. ::fascinated::
Point: I do not suport the use of fetal brain tissue... pluripotent embryonic stem cells, yes, which they could find a way to differentiate into cells similar if not identical to fbt.
Technique for replenishing missing neurons called a milestone, but not yet ready for humans
Betterhumans Staff
1/3/2005 6:20 PM
Neurons created from embryonic stem cells and transplanted into the brain have reversed Parkinson's disease in monkeys.
In the new study, Jun Takahashi and colleagues from Kyoto University in Japan demonstrated that embryonic stem cells can be converted to dopamine-producing neurons and transplanted into areas of the brain where they're lost, which occurs in Parkinson's disease.
Replenishing neurons to treat Parkinson's disease has been tested in humans for more than 15 years, but the approach faces several obstacles. Researchers have studied the use of fetal dopamine-producing neurons, for example, but there are technical and ethical difficulties obtaining enough fetal brain tissue.
Simple and efficient
Takahashi and colleagues had previously shown that mouse embryonic stem cells can differentiate into neurons when cultured under specific conditions. The same culture approach—considered technically simple and efficient—was also recently shown to work in primate embryonic stem cells.
For the new study, Takahashi and colleagues generated neurons from monkey embryonic stem cells and exposed them to a growth factor called FGF20. The growth factor is produced exclusively in the part of the brain affected by Parkinson's disease and is reported to help protect dopamine-producing neurons.
The growth factor increased the development of dopamine-producing neurons, which the researchers then transplanted into monkeys with a primate model of Parkinson's disease. They found that the transplanted cells functioned as dopamine-producing neurons and lessened Parkinson's symptoms.
Cautious optimism
In an accompanying commentary, J. William Langston of the Parkinson's Institute in Sunnyvale, California calls the study a milestone in the development of stem cell technology.
Langston cautions, however, that the reported number of surviving dopamine-producing neurons was very low at 1% to 3%, which is far below the approximately 10% estimated to survive for fetal cell transplants.
To be useful in humans, Langston says, it may be necessary for more dopamine-producing neurons to survive and for the survival to be long-lasting. Ultimately, however, Langston notes that "clearly the study reported here will advance research aimed at validating the use of stem cells to treat neurodegenerative disease."
Their research is reported in the Journal of Clinical Investigation
Point: I do not suport the use of fetal brain tissue... pluripotent embryonic stem cells, yes, which they could find a way to differentiate into cells similar if not identical to fbt.
Technique for replenishing missing neurons called a milestone, but not yet ready for humans
Betterhumans Staff
1/3/2005 6:20 PM
Neurons created from embryonic stem cells and transplanted into the brain have reversed Parkinson's disease in monkeys.
In the new study, Jun Takahashi and colleagues from Kyoto University in Japan demonstrated that embryonic stem cells can be converted to dopamine-producing neurons and transplanted into areas of the brain where they're lost, which occurs in Parkinson's disease.
Replenishing neurons to treat Parkinson's disease has been tested in humans for more than 15 years, but the approach faces several obstacles. Researchers have studied the use of fetal dopamine-producing neurons, for example, but there are technical and ethical difficulties obtaining enough fetal brain tissue.
Simple and efficient
Takahashi and colleagues had previously shown that mouse embryonic stem cells can differentiate into neurons when cultured under specific conditions. The same culture approach—considered technically simple and efficient—was also recently shown to work in primate embryonic stem cells.
For the new study, Takahashi and colleagues generated neurons from monkey embryonic stem cells and exposed them to a growth factor called FGF20. The growth factor is produced exclusively in the part of the brain affected by Parkinson's disease and is reported to help protect dopamine-producing neurons.
The growth factor increased the development of dopamine-producing neurons, which the researchers then transplanted into monkeys with a primate model of Parkinson's disease. They found that the transplanted cells functioned as dopamine-producing neurons and lessened Parkinson's symptoms.
Cautious optimism
In an accompanying commentary, J. William Langston of the Parkinson's Institute in Sunnyvale, California calls the study a milestone in the development of stem cell technology.
Langston cautions, however, that the reported number of surviving dopamine-producing neurons was very low at 1% to 3%, which is far below the approximately 10% estimated to survive for fetal cell transplants.
To be useful in humans, Langston says, it may be necessary for more dopamine-producing neurons to survive and for the survival to be long-lasting. Ultimately, however, Langston notes that "clearly the study reported here will advance research aimed at validating the use of stem cells to treat neurodegenerative disease."
Their research is reported in the Journal of Clinical Investigation
