Question posed by Phillip S.: What result could stem cell research have on the drug companies?
Right now drug companies makes drugs to treat Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease and to resist the rejection of organ transplants, among other things. What if stem cell research resulted in treatment that would eliminate the need for these drugs, would drug companies try to stop stem cell research by turning it into an abortion issue?

Best answer:

Answer by A T
They wouldn’t stifle the innovation. Actually, quite the opposite – I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if the pharmaceutical companies were to buy out smaller stem cell companies if therapies are proven successful…This has actually been a common strategy for the development of the so-called “biologics” (largely protein-based medications used as targeted therapy for a variety of diseases).

How about adding your own answer to the comments below!

Technorati Tags: cell, companies, could, drug, Research, result, stem

by DUP Photos

A question from Catriin: What diseases can be cured by stem cells and how would the cells cure those specific diseases?
I need to know which diseases can be cured by Stem Cell treatment. I know that Parkinson’s disease can be cured by this form of treatment but I need two other examples. I also need to know exactly how the cells will treat those specific diseases such as how the stem cells would target the motor cortex, causing a more sufficient amount of dopamine to be formed when treating Parkinson’s disease.
Thanks,

Cat.

My chosen answer:

Answer by Mags
There are many hurdles before stem cell implantation can be a potential cure or treatment for Parkinson’s disease. At this point skin cells have been used but the long term results are not in yet.

Other conditions with a cure potential include diabetes type 1 (juvenile diabetes), ALS, Huntington’s disease, Becker Muscular dystrophy (BMD), Down Syndrome, adenpsone deaminase deficiency (ADA-SCID), Gaucher disease type III, Schechman-Bodian-Diamons syndromw (SBDS)

There is stem cell treatment for Crohn’s disease.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/139774.php

Additional reading (I can’t do all of your homework)

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080807130834.htm

Proprietaty stem cells can prevent vision loss – retina protection:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/127718.php

You can also read this one about PD:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/141418.php

The 2nd part of your question can be searched in a normal fashion. If I find time, I’ll check it too.

Whether you agree or disagree, why not leave your own thoughts below.

Technorati Tags: cells, cure, cured, Diseases, specific, stem, those, would

by DUP Photos

Question by the.chosen.one: Acupuncture or Stem Cell therapy for Parkinson’s disease?
My father needs treatment.
Currently there is a full fledged and Government sanctioned stem cell treatment center in Germany.

Chosen answer:

Answer by Lightning
Look at risk of the stem cell option. If he decides the risk is worth the potential benefit give it a try.
Otherwise if it isn’t successful give the acupuncture a go.

Provide your own answer to this question below!

Technorati Tags: acupuncture, cell, disease, Parkinsons, stem, therapy

James Cook is 60 years, suffers from Parkinson and is from the USA James got treated in March 2009 with the hRPE stereotactic Brain injection.

Technorati Tags: after, Beijing, cell, disease, Hospital, James, Parkinsons, Puhua, stem, Tiantan, treatment

A question asked by Colour <3: What other types of diseases are embryonic stem cell researchers hoping to cure (besides Parkinson’s disease)?
I am doing a biology research assignment and I’m wondering what other types of diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, is hoping to be cured through the use of embryonic stem cell treatments. I understand that some people are against this method and all but this is just for a school research assignment

Any personal experiences are welcome or general knowledge is fine too.

Thanks a lot!

Chosen answer:

Answer by Mags
Thanks for letting us skip the “throw the baby out with the bath water” approach to eSCR (the non-induced pluripotent cells) because not a single “child” would be saved by not doing embryonic stem cell research.

Please keep in mind that the “answer” is only speculation – it has not been established – it is based upon hope as well. Cures may be found through other methods but may be aided by the eSCR research.

I have not been able to find a list – and I’ve been looking for a few months but here is what I have found:

Alzheimer’s disease
Parkinson’s disease
Neuro-motor disorders and diseases
Cardiac disease
Cancers
Diabetes
Spinal Cord injuries
Dental issues
Eye diseases and disorders
Burn victims
Myasthenia Gravis
Mental illness – certain kinds
Multiple Sclerosis
Muscular Dystrophies
Osteoporosis
Scleroderma – an autoimmune rheumatic disease
Skin disorders
Sjogren’s syndrome – an autoimmune blood disorder

In most categories there are several other conditions – the actual list would be much longer

resources:

http://www.lifeissues.org/cloningstemcell/escrletter.html

a read this:

http://www.stemcellgo.com/

Provide your own answer to this question below!

Technorati Tags: besides, cell, cure, disease, Diseases, Embryonic, hoping, Parkinsons, researchers, stem, types

by EMSL

A question from Aimz: Embryonic stem cells and Parkinson’s disease?
Why are embryonic stem cells an effective treatment for Parkinson’s disease? What makes them better than say deep brain stimulation or dopamine enhancing drugs such as Levodopa?

Thanks

No 1 answer:

Answer by Line and Circle
I’m not an expert but I was under the impression that just about every stem cell treatment uses adult stem cells, not embryonic cells.

Embryonic stem cells have been used mainly in research so far I believe.

If you know better then please let us know below.

Technorati Tags: cells, disease, Embryonic, Parkinsons, stem

One of the best videos I have come across on the subject of parkinson’s disease treatment.

While the world was not looking, Russians implemented stem cell treatments for Diabetes, MS, Parkinsons within their public health care system under the Department of Health. Their impressive track record of successful cases includes: – Diabetes 1 & 2 – 30000 cases (not a mistake!); – Parkinsons – 300 cases; – MS – 200 cases. The program was created at the Poltava Medical Academy (a real university), they use either autocells or stem cells derived from placenta. The patient shown in the clip developed 2 cases of PD – first on the right side, then after 2.5 years on the left side. Both were successfully treated with stem cells. Please note this is NOT one of those fly-by-night Asian clinics, but a real university. Costs are much more affordable, too. More info and contact for inquiries: www.reussinternational.com .

Technorati Tags: cell, disease, Parkinsons, stem, treatment

by Big Grey Mare

A question asked by Christine: Can stem cells be a cure/treatment for Parkinson’s disease AS OF NOW?
I have an essay due tom on parkinson’s disease and stem cells but the the info. I’ve found online contradicts each other. some are saying that there is a cure and some are saying there isn’t. if there are cures/treatments could you explain them or give me a source where you found them? thank you
@Mags: thank you so much! i’ll be sure to use your sources and i find it interesting that after so much time and money and work being put into stem cell research a real cure for PD isn’t found yet. i actually havent read about what happened in China but if it is a controversial and political issue like you said, I should probably not include that in my essay with a limit of 1000 words. thank you again

Most comprehensive answer:

Answer by Mags
The real proof is not in yet on Stem Cells as a treatment for Parkinson’s disease. There are several claims and one in particular is of interest.

Dr Michael Levesque at Neurogeneration says that they have indeed successfully transplanted adult neural stem cells to reverse the progression of Parkinson’s disease. I happen to like the discussions at NeuroTalk so here’s one link:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread78167.html

Go directly to the PDF report for the details:

http://www.neurogeneration.com/pdf/Levesque-MS.pdf

On page 9 you will see one of the problems: after 4-5 years historically there has been regression in cases which appeared to be successful. This is one reason that this transplant can only be called a treatment. There are plenty of people who are willing to face the possible risks of this surgery for 3 or 4 good/normal years.

I’m sure you have read about the stem cell procedures in China. I’m not linking to them because there is a serious question about the procedure and protocol. There is a dual process in effect and it may be more of the first process which is yielding results. There is no data past year 4 at this time, which suggests that the treatments are reversing.

The next thing I would like to mention is that after years of failures, partial successes and then reversal, it was finally recognized that they had failed to consider serotonin in the equation.

Parkinson’s disease is very much about balance. The loss of homeostasis in brain chemistry, the interaction and relationship of various brain chemicals. the loss of balance between youth and aging with a similar process within the dopamine neurons. Not to mention the loss of balance in the disease as acetylcholine tenses muscles and declining dopamine cannot transmit the relax message to muscles. And of course the actual balance difficulties of body vs gravity.

Don’t forget to read the FAQs at NIH:

http://stemcells.nih.gov/StemCells/Templates/StemCellContentPage.aspx?NRMODE=Published&NRNODEGUID=%7bA604DCCE-2E5F-4395-8954-FCE1C05BECED%7d&NRORIGINALURL=%2finfo%2ffaqs%2easp&NRCACHEHINT=NoModifyGuest#parkinsons

The therapy is still experimental but has potential.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19715418

Since there is stem cell surgery being done in Germany and in the UK among other countries, here is a simpler explanation:

http://www.eurostemcell.org/faq/what-parkinsons-disease-and-can-stem-cells-help

This is a recent report on one PwP who had the surgery in Germany in 2010. The procedure is described – again using adult stem cells.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/XCell-Center/StemCellParkinsons/prweb4929814.htm

Do you know better? Why not leave your own answer in the comments below!

Technorati Tags: cells, cure/treatment, disease, Parkinsons, stem