Regenerative medicine for Parkinson's disease

Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo). 2015;55(2):113-23. doi: 10.2176/nmc.ra.2014-0264. Epub 2015 Jan 23.

Abstract

Regenerative medicine for Parkinson's disease (PD) is expected to develop dramatically with the advancement of biotechnology as represented by induced pluripotent stem cells. Existing therapeutic strategy for PD consists of medication using L-DOPA, surgery such as deep brain stimulation and rehabilitation. Current treatment cannot stop the progression of the disease, although there is definite therapeutic effect. True neurorestoration is strongly desired by regenerative medicine. This review article describes the historical development of regenerative medicine for PD, with a focus on fetal nigral cell transplantation and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor infusion. Subsequently, the current status of regenerative medicine for PD in terms of cell therapy and gene therapy are reviewed. In the end, the future direction to realize regenerative medicine for PD is discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiparkinson Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy / methods
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Dopaminergic Neurons / drug effects
  • Dopaminergic Neurons / physiology
  • Drug Discovery
  • Fetal Stem Cells / transplantation
  • Genetic Therapy / methods
  • Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factors / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Levodopa / therapeutic use
  • Parkinson Disease / physiopathology
  • Parkinson Disease / therapy*
  • Pluripotent Stem Cells / transplantation
  • Regenerative Medicine / methods*
  • Substantia Nigra / cytology

Substances

  • Antiparkinson Agents
  • Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factors
  • Levodopa