What do Michael J. Fox, Muhammed Ali, and Ozzy Osbourne all have in common? Well, they all received a diagnosis for Parkinson’s disease. Around 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson’s each year, and an estimated 2 million people worldwide live with the condition. Yet there’s still no cure. However, recent research shows that differentiating stem cells into nerve cells in animal models created new and healthy cells. You can check out the full findings in Advanced Science.
Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive central nervous system disorder. It is caused by the neurodegeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain, specifically in the substantia nigra. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, or chemical messenger. Basically, it helps your body communicate with your brain. Dopamine plays a role in movement, pleasure and reward, motivation, and even memory. So, without enough dopamine, people with Parkinson’s disease slowly lose their motor function.
There are five stages of Parkinson’s, progressing from minor tremors to complete loss of movement. Patients in stage five often cannot stand or walk on their own. They might also experience hallucinations. Generally, Parkinson’s disease affects older individuals.
Symptoms include muscle rigidity, dementia, changes in speech and movement, fatigue, issues with balance, loss of ability to blink or smile, personality and behavioral changes, excessive sweating, and a tremor in both hands.
Learn more about Parkinson’s disease here.
Stem Cells: An Animal-Based Study
Stem cell therapy is a burgeoning therapeutic option within the medical realm. In an article within the Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, the authors describe stem cells as cells which:
have the ability of unlimited self-renewal to produce progeny exactly the same as the originating cell. Stem cells have the ability to build every tissue in the human body, [showcasing] great potential for [tissue regeneration and repair].
In stem cell therapy, clinicians grow and develop stem cells into specific types of cells. Once implanted in the body, the cells regenerate and repair damaged cells. In the case of Parkinson’s disease, stem cells could regenerate lost nerve cells.
However, stem cells do have some limitations. First, the FDA warned against some stem cell treatments in 2019. Next, growth factors are sometimes needed for cell manipulation and differentiation. But these can also prompt the growth of cancerous cells. Finally, cell differentiation takes time, making it an inefficient option.
Using a Nanomatrix for Manipulating Stem Cells
In this study, researchers created a special nanomatrix which helps to not only quickly and effectively grow stem cells but also manipulates them into becoming nerve cells. This matrix does not use growth factors, enhancing its safety.
Instead, states the original Parkinson’s News Today article:
the nanomatrix uses trillions of biocompatible silica “nanozigzag” structures on its surface to stimulate stem cells and promote their differentiation.
Through this matrix, researchers created mini-SNLs, or miniature substantia nigra-like structures. Within these exist dopaminergic nerve cells. Next, researchers used rat models of Parkinson’s disease to test this therapy’s efficacy.
They transferred their mini-SNLs into the rat models and proceeded to monitor the models. Within 2 months, the motor abilities of the rats improved. In just about 4.5 months, researchers noticed that the amount of dopaminergic cells increased. As a result, the manipulated stem cells restored the damaged nerve cells caused by Parkinson’s. None of the rats experienced adverse reactions like tumor growth. Rats in the control group experienced no improvement in movement or motor skills.
Now, researchers hope to look at stem cell therapy as a potential treatment for Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, this nanomatrix could manipulate stem cells to treat cancer or Alzheimer’s disease.
