How could stem cells be used to treat spinal cord injury or Parkinsons disease?
In spinal cord injury and Parkinson’s disease, the body is unable to naturally heal the damaged axons and dopamine-producing neurons of the spinal cord and brain, respectively. In spinal cord injury, loss of muscle and sensory function is seen below the site of the injury. In Parkinson’s disease, involuntary movements and tremors result from the damaged neurons in the brain. Current research is examining how stem cells can be used to make specific types of nerve cells to help promote repair and regenerate new neurons within these diseases.
