http://www.michaeljfox.org/?gclid=CLDp04uKiq8CFQTd4AodwxekDg
The Michael J. Fox foundation is an organization founded by the popular actor Michael J. Fox, who suffers from Parkinson's disease himself. This foundation is dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson's and treatments for people living with this awful disease. The site offers information about the research the team is doing and different ways people can help them fund this very important research for a cure. The site also gives information about how to cope if you are diagnosed with this disease and options you have. This is a disease that affects millions of people worldwide each year and even the smallest donations can help.
New Stem Cell Treatment for Parkinson's
Even though I am against testing on animals and I feel bad for these poor monkeys but I thought this article was interesting people it shows how close researchers are getting to finding a cure for this horrible disease. They are transforming Stem Cells into brain cells and putting them into the brain to replace the dead neurons. The new cells seem to be function properly and reverse some of the problems causes by the disease. The monkeys have seemed to improve greatly after the procedure unlike in previous experiments where the cells just didn't function properly. Clinical trials with humans have not started yet because researchers are nervous that symptoms like tumors can occur from the dopamine neurons formed from human stem cells. Animals were given six injections into the site where Parkinson's develops in the brain. In mice and rats their was incredible improvement and the regained the loss of movement they experienced from the disease. The monkeys that were injected also improved greatly with even fewer neurons, which is an impressive sign. This is a huge development in searching for the cure for Parkinson's. They hope to start trials on humans soon.
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