14 DAY TRIAL // In a recent study in the journal Cell Stem Cell, Harvard University scientists describe the use of neurons grown from skin cells in laboratory conditions to reduce Parkinson’s-like symptoms in primates.
The researchers argue that, given the success of these experiments, it could be that, soon enough, doctors will be able to use neurons grown from their own skin cells to treat Parkinson’s in human patients.
How the experiments on primates played out
Writing in the journal Cell Stem Cell, the Harvard University researchers explain that, as part of their work, they first obtained skin cells from the primates they selected to be included in their investigation.
They then exposed these skin cells to a series of chemical cues that compelled them to turn into stem cells which were in turn coerced to become neurons with the help of chemical signals.
The neurons that the scientists managed to grow in laboratory conditions were dopamine-producing ones. The reason why the researchers chose to grow such brain cells is because previous studies have linked them to Parkinson’s.
More precisely, investigations carried out over the years have shown that Parkinson’s symptoms correlate with a significant loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain.
Seeing how dopamine is a hormone and neurotransmitter involved in several functions among which motor control, it makes sense that losing dopamine-producing neurons leads to Parkinson’s.
Inside the brain of one of the primates the Harvard University team experimented on, the lab-made neurons not only survived for over 2 years, but also worked to reduce Parkinson’s symptoms.
The researchers say that, although the animal's individual movements still showed some signs of being affected by disease, the primate was nonetheless able to move about its cage just as swiftly as its healthy companions.
Even more exciting, the neurons survived inside the body of this primate in the absence of any drugs to protect it against a bad reaction of the immune system. Thus, the animal's body simply accepted them.
“It’s very difficult to get cell survival in primates,” Harvard University Ole Isacson told the press in an interview. “This is a very high bar to clear,” the specialist went on to explain.
Using lab-made neurons to treat Parkinson’s in humans
Specialist Ole Isacson and his team imagine using neurons grown from skin cells to treat Parkinson’s in humans. If grown from their own cells, the neurons should not be attacked by the patient's body.
The Harvard University scientists hope the, about 3 years from now, they will finally know enough about how to grow human dopamine-producing neurons and transplant them in the brain to roll out clinical trials involving volunteers.
Before moving on to experimenting on people, the researchers will have to present their work to the US Food and Drug Administration and obtain permission to go the extra mile and toy with folks' brains.