LOS ANGELES (KABC) — A new stem cell treatment may offer hope for Parkinson’s disease. Keck Medicine of USC is investigating a unique therapy that aims to repair damaged brain cells<\/p>\n
Four months after neurosurgeons implanted specialized stem cells into Elizabeth Mendoza’s brain, she noticed a positive change in her Parkinson’s disease symptoms.<\/p>\n
“I feel good. I feel better than I have in a while,” she said.<\/p>\n
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that impacts more than a million Americans.<\/p>\n
It can also cause muscle stiffness and affect balance and walking. Mendoza’s tremors started in 2019.<\/p>\n
“The tremors occur when the limb is at rest,” said Keck Medicine of USC neurologist and co-principal investigator, Dr. Xenos Mason.<\/p>\n
He said the risk for Parkinson’s increases in those 60 or older, but doctors are finding it in younger people. Some studies suggest pesticides and pollution may play a role.<\/p>\n
“There is an increase in Parkinson’s that we don’t understand that is probably related to something in the environment over the last 30 or 40 years,” he said.<\/p>\n
The condition occurs when the brain doesn’t produce enough of the neurochemical dopamine.<\/p>\n
“In Parkinson’s disease when that dopamine is lost, movements are inhibited,” said Mason.<\/p>\n
While medications help Mendoza make more dopamine, it doesn’t slow the progression and can cause side effects.<\/p>\n
“I was totally nauseated, really bad,” said Mendoza.<\/p>\n
Now, she’s one of the first patients nationwide to participate in an early-phase clinical trial investigating whether implanting specially-programmed stem cells can help the brain produce more dopamine naturally.<\/p>\n
“Introducing something that has more consistency or may even be more of a biologic behavior than a single dose of dopamine that you take through a pill can be more advantageous,” said Mason.<\/p>\n
In the procedure, surgeons drilled a small hole in Elizabeth’s skull to access the brain. Then, they implant the stem cells into the area that controls movement.<\/p>\n
“We’re understanding how stem cells work in the brain. How they release dopamine, how they grow, how they integrate as we’re doing these trials and studies,” he said.<\/p>\n
The first phase of the trial is looking into safety.<\/p>\n
But patients will be monitored for any changes in their Parkinson’s disease symptoms and for possible side effects for up to five years.<\/p>\n
While she is still using medication to control her tremors, she’s seen slight improvement.<\/p>\n
“My tremors are a little less,” she said.<\/p>\n
Mendoza hopes her involvement in this study will give other people with Parkinson’s hope.<\/p>\n
“I would have never thought I would have stem cells injected into my brain, and here I am and I feel pretty good,” she said.<\/p>\n
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