Stem Cells for Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease primarily affecting the dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain. In this chapter, we discuss several aspects of Parkinson’s disease that make it a worthwhile candidate for a stem cell-based therapy. Evidence that increasing the supply of a single neurotransmitter, dopamine, can significantly alleviate symptoms, a previous history of cell therapy, and robust protocols for generating authentic stem cell-derived dopaminergic neurons all offer a compelling case for cell therapy. We discuss the evolution of dopaminergic differentiation from stem cells, including supporting preclinical studies of efficacy in rodent and nonhuman primate models. We also highlight several clinical trials using allogeneic or autologous cells that are in progress or preparation by groups around the world.