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Stem cell-derived dopaminergic neurons rescue motor defects in Parkinsonian monkeys

Date:
December 3, 2012
Source:
Journal of Clinical Investigation
Summary:
Researchers have derived dopaminergic neurons from bone marrow stem cells in monkeys.
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Researchers have derived dopaminergic neurons from bone marrow stem cells in monkeys.

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that is characterized by tremors, rigidity, slowness of movement, and difficulty walking. It is caused by loss of the neurons that produce the neurotransmitter dopamine (known as dopaminergic neurons). One of the primary goals in Parkinson's disease research is to develop a replacement for dopaminergic neurons.

In a new study, researchers led by Takuya Hayashi at the RIKEN Center for Molecular Imaging Science in Kobe, Japan, derived dopaminergic neurons from bone marrow stem cells in monkeys. The cells were retrieved during a standard bone marrow aspiration and then treated with growth factors that directed the stem cells to become dopaminergic neurons. The monkeys that donated the stem cells were treated with a chemical to induce Parkinson's disease and then received a transplant of the new dopaminergic neurons that had been derived from their own bone marrow stem cells. Monkeys that received the transplant showed significant improvement in motor defects.

This study demonstrates that dopaminergic neurons derived from adult bone marrow stem cells can be safely used to improve motor function in Parkinson's disease in monkeys.

The research is published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.


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Materials provided by Journal of Clinical Investigation. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Takuya Hayashi, Shohei Wakao, Masaaki Kitada, Takayuki Ose, Hiroshi Watabe, Yasumasa Kuroda, Kanae Mitsunaga, Dai Matsuse, Taeko Shigemoto, Akihito Ito, Hironobu Ikeda, Hidenao Fukuyama, Hirotaka Onoe, Yasuhiko Tabata, Mari Dezawa. Autologous mesenchymal stem cell–derived dopaminergic neurons function in parkinsonian macaques. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2012; DOI: 10.1172/JCI62516

Cite This Page:

Journal of Clinical Investigation. "Stem cell-derived dopaminergic neurons rescue motor defects in Parkinsonian monkeys." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 3 December 2012. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/12/121203121632.htm>.
Journal of Clinical Investigation. (2012, December 3). Stem cell-derived dopaminergic neurons rescue motor defects in Parkinsonian monkeys. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 19, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/12/121203121632.htm
Journal of Clinical Investigation. "Stem cell-derived dopaminergic neurons rescue motor defects in Parkinsonian monkeys." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/12/121203121632.htm (accessed March 19, 2024).

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