Stem cell trials could lead to Parkinson's treatments

The first-ever trial of using human stem cells to treat spinal injuries could provide hope for people with Parkinson's disease.

A hospital in Atlanta in the US will be doing the pivotal clinical trial, which Parkinson's UK hopes will open the door to treatments for the debilitating disease.

The stem cells will be injected into an injured spinal chord, in the hope of repairing the damage and regaining some mobility.

Parkinson's UK director of research Dr Kieran Breen says it is possible that stem cells could one day be used to produce Dopamine nerve cells to combat Parkinson's disease.

He said: "It's early days but the news that the first clinical trial using embryonic stem cells in humans is taking place is very exciting.

"But for people with Parkinson's, it may be many years before using stem cells becomes a reality."

The charity estimates that one in every 500 people in the UK is currently living with Parkinson's disease.

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