Researchers at Lund University, Sweden, have successfully implanted 7 million lab-grown brain cells into a patient to treat Parkinson’s disease.

The researchers at Lund University expose stem cells from fertilised eggs – called embryonic stem cells – to growth factors and direct them to become immature dopamine cells. The cells are then implanted into a 4mm area in the centre of the patient’s brain, closest to the brain stem. The aim is that the stem cells start to replace the dopamine cells Parkinson’s patients have lost. After a few months, they start sending out nerve fibres and producing dopamine.

So far, five subjects have undergone surgery using the researchers’ lab-grown cells. Soon three additional patients will receive a double dose, with 14 million brain cells each.

There is a fantastic article on Parkinson’s NSW website, with insight and quotes from Thomas Matsson, who was the first person in the world to test the method a year ago – please read here.