The movement disorder seen in Parkinson's disease arises from the loss of dopamine-producing, or dopaminergic, neurons. Regenerative medicine using stem cell therapy provides renewed hope for patients with PD. Evidence suggests that this approach can work, implantation of primary human fetal midbrain cells in PD patients have in some cases alleviated Parkinsonism symptoms.
ReNeuron's platform technology can provide a renewable source of suitable dopaminergic cells, but a significant challenge we must overcome is enhancing the survival of the dopaminergic phenotype following implantation. Our project focuses on the linking of human neural stem cells with a dopaminergic potential to a biodegradable scaffold to protect cells during and after delivery and promote long-term functional efficacy.
The results of this study aim to provide a standardized tissue engineered product that has potential to become a therapeutic treatment available to all eligible PD patients.
Final Outcome
The ReNeuron team presented interesting results demonstrating that transplantation of undifferentiated stem cells had a neuroprotective effect in animal models of PD. The biodegradable scaffold showed a trend toward improving survival of transplanted stem cells, but conclusive analysis of the therapeutic potential was ultimately hindered by technical limitations.
Researchers
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Erik A. Miljan, BSc, PhD