The researchers in UK are on a verge to launch a study the potential of having a person’s stem cell used in order to treat Parkinson’s disease. A team from the Oxford University will make use of adult stem cells to test the neurological condition as they have the ability to take form of any cell in the body. The brain neurons which get destroys as a result of Parkinson’s will be grew with the help of skin cells. The research, however, will not involve the human embryo destruction.

IPS (Induced pluripotent stem) cells were developed in 2007. The scientists had said that without any ethical downsides, the IPS had a tendency to offer many benefits of the embryonic stem cells Kieran Breen of Parkinson’s UK demonstrates the working of the study. Skin cells from 1,000 patients who are at the early stage of Parkinson’s will be taken by the researchers and will turn them into nerve cells which will carry the disease in order to learn more about the disorder of the brain, the UK National Stem Cell Network annual science meeting will hear.

The researchers are allowed to create limitless number of nerve cells to be used in experiments and for the testing of drugs by the IPS. Dr Richard Wade-Martins, the head of he Oxford Parkinson’s Disease Centre said, “Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in the UK and is set to become increasingly common as we live longer”. “Once we have neurons from patients we can compare the functioning of cells taken from patients with the disease and those without to better understand why dopamine neurons die in patients with Parkinson’s.”

Currently, Parkinson’s UK is funding the research. Kieran Breen, the director of research of charity said “vital research that will help us better understand the causes of this devastating condition and how it develops and progresses.” “We hope the work will pave the way for new and better treatments for people with Parkinson’s in the future.” An estimated 120,000 people in the UK are currently suffering from Parkinson’s.

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