Embryonic stem cell in rodents could lead to treatment for Parkinson's

Jun 27 2007

Scientists in Britain have discovered a new type of embryonic stem cell in mice and rats that could accelerate research into degenerative brain diseases such as Parkinson's.

The scientists extracted rodent embryonic stem cells which are very similar their human counterparts and say the discovery will speed up research into regenerative medicine.

The new type of stem cell named "epiblast stem cells", were taken from the rodent embryos at a slightly later stage of its development than previous rodent embryonic stem cells.

Human embryonic stem cells have exceptional value to researchers because they can be modified to any form of tissue that is found in the body.

They have already been used by scientists to enhance treatment options in people with diabetes and various forms of eye conditions and scientists hope such research will increase treatment options for people with degenerative brain diseases such as Parkinson's disease.

Stem cell research will also hopefully benefit sufferers with Alzheimer's and other neurological diseases, but they also offer hope for conditions as diverse as heart disease, arthritis, diabetes and burns.

Stem cell research using human embryos is fraught with a multitude of practical and ethical issues and currently scientists are forced to rely on obtaining surplus embryos from IVF clinics for their work.

Many with religious convictions oppose experimenting on and then destroying human life, even if it may offer potentially life-saving treatments.

As the rodent embryonic stem cells looked very similar to human ones experts say they could dramatically speed up research.

Professor Roger Pederson, who led the team of scientists at Cambridge University, says the epiblast stem cells constitute "the missing link between mouse and human embryonic stem cells.