No more shaking hands… China's new stem cell therapy will treat Parkinson's patients, here's how it works

There is currently no cure for Parkinson's disease. It is only managed. However, now there is hope for a cure. A team of researchers from China's University of Science and Technology has cured Parkinson's patients with a new stem-cell therapy. This research could be a major step toward eradicating the disease in the future.

Parkinson's disease is a condition that causes difficulty with speech and movement. Hands tremble, making it difficult to perform daily tasks. It occurs when the neurons in the brain that produce dopamine gradually die. 

This causes hand tremors, difficulty walking, and loss of balance. This condition typically occurs in people over the age of 60, although it can also occur in younger individuals.

What is China's new research?

Chinese scientists have developed stem cells designed to continuously produce dopamine-containing neurons. If someone's dopamine-containing neurons are deficient, these stem cells can be used to transplant them into the patient. Currently, phase one clinical trials have been completed. So far, six patients have received this stem cell transplant.

The research revealed that Parkinson's symptoms improved significantly in these six patients. Within three to four months of the stem cell transplant, these patients returned to normal. This means that the treatment was not only alleviating the symptoms but also curing the disease.

The trial is in its initial stages

Although stem cell treatment has brought the disease under control in six patients, this trial is still very small. It needs to be conducted on a larger scale. 

Only then will its side effects and other aspects be known. However, this trial has proven that neurons lost in neurological diseases like Parkinson's can be regenerated.