A new study shows that, when properly A new study shows that, when properly A new study shows that, when properly A new study shows that, when properly manipulated, a population of support cells found in manipulated, a population of support cells found in manipulated, a population of support cells found in manipulated, a population of support cells found in the brain called astrocytes could provide a new and the brain called astrocytes could provide a new and the brain called astrocytes could provide a new and the brain called astrocytes could provide a new and promising approach to treat Parkinson’s disease. promising approach to treat Parkinson’s disease. promising approach to treat Parkinson’s disease. promising approach to treat Parkinson’s disease.

These These These These findings, which were made using an animal findings, which were made using an animal findings, which were made using an animal findings, which were made using an animal model of the disease, demonstrate that a single model of the disease, demonstrate that a single model of the disease, demonstrate that a single model of the disease, demonstrate that a single therapy could simultaneously repair the multiple therapy could simultaneously repair the multiple therapy could simultaneously repair the multiple therapy could simultaneously repair the multiple types of neurological damage caused by types of neurological damage caused by types of neurological damage caused by types of neurological damage caused by Parkinson’s, providing an overall benefit that has Parkinson’s, providing an overall benefit that has Parkinson’s, providing an overall benefit that has Parkinson’s, providing an overall benefit that has not been achieved in other approachesnot been achieved in other approachesnot been achieved in other approachesnot been achieved in other approaches....

“One of the central challenges in Parkinson’s “One of the central challenges in Parkinson’s “One of the central challenges in Parkinson’s “One of the central challenges in Parkinson’s disease is that many different cell types are disease is that many different cell types are disease is that many different cell types are disease is that many different cell types are damaged, each of which is of potential damaged, each of which is of potential damaged, each of which is of potential damaged, each of which is of potential importance,” said Chris importance,” said Chris importance,” said Chris importance,” said Chris ProschelProschelProschelProschel, Ph.D., an , Ph.D., an , Ph.D., an , Ph.D., an assistant professor of Biomedical Genetics at the assistant professor of Biomedical Genetics at the assistant professor of Biomedical Genetics at the assistant professor of Biomedical Genetics at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) and lead author of the study which appears today and lead author of the study which appears today and lead author of the study which appears today and lead author of the study which appears today in the European journal EMBO Molecular in the European journal EMBO Molecular in the European journal EMBO Molecular in the European journal EMBO Molecular Medicine. Medicine. Medicine. Medicine.

““““However, while we know that the collective loss of However, while we know that the collective loss of However, while we know that the collective loss of However, while we know that the collective loss of these cells contributes to the symptoms of the these cells contributes to the symptoms of the these cells contributes to the symptoms of the these cells contributes to the symptoms of the disease, much of the current research is focused on disease, much of the current research is focused on disease, much of the current research is focused on disease, much of the current research is focused on the recovery of only one cell typethe recovery of only one cell typethe recovery of only one cell typethe recovery of only one cell type.”.”.”.”

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder which affects an estimated one million disorder which affects an estimated one million disorder which affects an estimated one million disorder which affects an estimated one million Americans. Americans. Americans. Americans.

While the condition is associated with the loss of While the condition is associated with the loss of While the condition is associated with the loss of While the condition is associated with the loss of dopaminergic neurons dopaminergic neurons dopaminergic neurons dopaminergic neurons –––– cells that produce the cells that produce the cells that produce the cells that produce the important neurotransmitter dopamine important neurotransmitter dopamine important neurotransmitter dopamine important neurotransmitter dopamine –––– the the the the disease’s impact is actually far more complex and disease’s impact is actually far more complex and disease’s impact is actually far more complex and disease’s impact is actually far more complex and widewidewidewide----ranging, disrupting basic signaling functions ranging, disrupting basic signaling functions ranging, disrupting basic signaling functions ranging, disrupting basic signaling functions and triggering the destruction of several other and triggering the destruction of several other and triggering the destruction of several other and triggering the destruction of several other types of cells found in the brain.types of cells found in the brain.types of cells found in the brain.types of cells found in the brain.

Consequently, while the preservation and Consequently, while the preservation and Consequently, while the preservation and Consequently, while the preservation and

restoration of dopamine producing neurons is restoration of dopamine producing neurons is restoration of dopamine producing neurons is restoration of dopamine producing neurons is

critical to slowing or reversing the course of the critical to slowing or reversing the course of the critical to slowing or reversing the course of the critical to slowing or reversing the course of the

disease, it is increasingly clear that any successful disease, it is increasingly clear that any successful disease, it is increasingly clear that any successful disease, it is increasingly clear that any successful

longlonglonglong----term therapy must both protect the areas of term therapy must both protect the areas of term therapy must both protect the areas of term therapy must both protect the areas of

the brain under attack and foster the repair of the brain under attack and foster the repair of the brain under attack and foster the repair of the brain under attack and foster the repair of

not only dopaminergic neurons but also the not only dopaminergic neurons but also the not only dopaminergic neurons but also the not only dopaminergic neurons but also the

damage that occurs in other cell populations.damage that occurs in other cell populations.damage that occurs in other cell populations.damage that occurs in other cell populations.

“Reversing the disease’s impact on the brain is “Reversing the disease’s impact on the brain is “Reversing the disease’s impact on the brain is “Reversing the disease’s impact on the brain is

akin to the challenges of fixing a house that is in akin to the challenges of fixing a house that is in akin to the challenges of fixing a house that is in akin to the challenges of fixing a house that is in

the process of falling apart,” said the process of falling apart,” said the process of falling apart,” said the process of falling apart,” said ProschelProschelProschelProschel. “If . “If . “If . “If

you only focus on addressing one aspect of the you only focus on addressing one aspect of the you only focus on addressing one aspect of the you only focus on addressing one aspect of the

problem, such as the wiring, but ignore the fact problem, such as the wiring, but ignore the fact problem, such as the wiring, but ignore the fact problem, such as the wiring, but ignore the fact

that the roof is leaking and the foundation is that the roof is leaking and the foundation is that the roof is leaking and the foundation is that the roof is leaking and the foundation is

crumbling, then you haven’t really carried out crumbling, then you haven’t really carried out crumbling, then you haven’t really carried out crumbling, then you haven’t really carried out

the necessary repairs and it is only a matter of the necessary repairs and it is only a matter of the necessary repairs and it is only a matter of the necessary repairs and it is only a matter of

time before the lights go out again.”time before the lights go out again.”time before the lights go out again.”time before the lights go out again.”

Using human brain cells, Using human brain cells, Using human brain cells, Using human brain cells, ProschelProschelProschelProschel and his and his and his and his

colleagues isolated a cell population found in colleagues isolated a cell population found in colleagues isolated a cell population found in colleagues isolated a cell population found in

the central nervous system called glial the central nervous system called glial the central nervous system called glial the central nervous system called glial

precursors. Through the careful manipulation precursors. Through the careful manipulation precursors. Through the careful manipulation precursors. Through the careful manipulation

of culture conditions and cell signals, the of culture conditions and cell signals, the of culture conditions and cell signals, the of culture conditions and cell signals, the

researchers induced the precursor cells to researchers induced the precursor cells to researchers induced the precursor cells to researchers induced the precursor cells to

produce a specific class of astrocytes.produce a specific class of astrocytes.produce a specific class of astrocytes.produce a specific class of astrocytes.

While astrocytes tend to garner far less attention than While astrocytes tend to garner far less attention than While astrocytes tend to garner far less attention than While astrocytes tend to garner far less attention than

their more glamorous cousin, the neuron, they their more glamorous cousin, the neuron, they their more glamorous cousin, the neuron, they their more glamorous cousin, the neuron, they

nevertheless are critical to maintaining a healthy nevertheless are critical to maintaining a healthy nevertheless are critical to maintaining a healthy nevertheless are critical to maintaining a healthy

environment in the brain. On the flip side, scientists environment in the brain. On the flip side, scientists environment in the brain. On the flip side, scientists environment in the brain. On the flip side, scientists

are learning that astrocyte dysfunction can contribute are learning that astrocyte dysfunction can contribute are learning that astrocyte dysfunction can contribute are learning that astrocyte dysfunction can contribute

to multiple neurological disorders. to multiple neurological disorders. to multiple neurological disorders. to multiple neurological disorders.

In both instances, the ability to realize the therapeutic In both instances, the ability to realize the therapeutic In both instances, the ability to realize the therapeutic In both instances, the ability to realize the therapeutic

implications of these discoveries has proven to be implications of these discoveries has proven to be implications of these discoveries has proven to be implications of these discoveries has proven to be

difficult. The ability of labs such as difficult. The ability of labs such as difficult. The ability of labs such as difficult. The ability of labs such as Proschel’sProschel’sProschel’sProschel’s to isolate to isolate to isolate to isolate

and identify the unique properties of different kinds of and identify the unique properties of different kinds of and identify the unique properties of different kinds of and identify the unique properties of different kinds of

astroctyesastroctyesastroctyesastroctyes, essentially finding the right cell for the right , essentially finding the right cell for the right , essentially finding the right cell for the right , essentially finding the right cell for the right

job, offers the possibility of harnessing these cells for job, offers the possibility of harnessing these cells for job, offers the possibility of harnessing these cells for job, offers the possibility of harnessing these cells for

new therapies.new therapies.new therapies.new therapies.

The astrocytes used in the study differ from other The astrocytes used in the study differ from other The astrocytes used in the study differ from other The astrocytes used in the study differ from other types of astrocytes present in the mature brain. types of astrocytes present in the mature brain. types of astrocytes present in the mature brain. types of astrocytes present in the mature brain. When implanted into the brains of rats with When implanted into the brains of rats with When implanted into the brains of rats with When implanted into the brains of rats with Parkinson’s disease, the new cells acted similar to Parkinson’s disease, the new cells acted similar to Parkinson’s disease, the new cells acted similar to Parkinson’s disease, the new cells acted similar to astrocytes found in the developing brain, which astrocytes found in the developing brain, which astrocytes found in the developing brain, which astrocytes found in the developing brain, which are more effective at building connections are more effective at building connections are more effective at building connections are more effective at building connections between nerves and creating a suitable between nerves and creating a suitable between nerves and creating a suitable between nerves and creating a suitable environment for growth and repair. environment for growth and repair. environment for growth and repair. environment for growth and repair.

Consequently, the implanted astrocytes acted like Consequently, the implanted astrocytes acted like Consequently, the implanted astrocytes acted like Consequently, the implanted astrocytes acted like a repair crew, restoring the health and stability of a repair crew, restoring the health and stability of a repair crew, restoring the health and stability of a repair crew, restoring the health and stability of the structure and allowing the brain’s nerve cells the structure and allowing the brain’s nerve cells the structure and allowing the brain’s nerve cells the structure and allowing the brain’s nerve cells to recover and resume normal activity.to recover and resume normal activity.to recover and resume normal activity.to recover and resume normal activity.

The researchers were careful to implant the The researchers were careful to implant the The researchers were careful to implant the The researchers were careful to implant the

cells only after the rats had developed signs of cells only after the rats had developed signs of cells only after the rats had developed signs of cells only after the rats had developed signs of

Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease.

This delay was important because it mimics This delay was important because it mimics This delay was important because it mimics This delay was important because it mimics

how a similar therapy would be used in how a similar therapy would be used in how a similar therapy would be used in how a similar therapy would be used in

humans where the neurological damage caused humans where the neurological damage caused humans where the neurological damage caused humans where the neurological damage caused

by the disease precedes its visible symptoms.by the disease precedes its visible symptoms.by the disease precedes its visible symptoms.by the disease precedes its visible symptoms.

After transplantation, the researchers observed that After transplantation, the researchers observed that After transplantation, the researchers observed that After transplantation, the researchers observed that not only did dopaminergic neurons recover in the not only did dopaminergic neurons recover in the not only did dopaminergic neurons recover in the not only did dopaminergic neurons recover in the animals, but other nerve cells called interneurons animals, but other nerve cells called interneurons animals, but other nerve cells called interneurons animals, but other nerve cells called interneurons were also rescued. Interneurons play an important were also rescued. Interneurons play an important were also rescued. Interneurons play an important were also rescued. Interneurons play an important role in information processing and movement role in information processing and movement role in information processing and movement role in information processing and movement control, and are also lost in Parkinson’s disease. No control, and are also lost in Parkinson’s disease. No control, and are also lost in Parkinson’s disease. No control, and are also lost in Parkinson’s disease. No previous therapies have rescued these cells. previous therapies have rescued these cells. previous therapies have rescued these cells. previous therapies have rescued these cells.

Moreover, the therapy restored normal levels of Moreover, the therapy restored normal levels of Moreover, the therapy restored normal levels of Moreover, the therapy restored normal levels of synaptophysinsynaptophysinsynaptophysinsynaptophysin, a protein that is essential for , a protein that is essential for , a protein that is essential for , a protein that is essential for communication between nerve cells. The communication between nerve cells. The communication between nerve cells. The communication between nerve cells. The transplanted rats recovered motor skills to normal transplanted rats recovered motor skills to normal transplanted rats recovered motor skills to normal transplanted rats recovered motor skills to normal levels, essentially reversing the symptoms of the levels, essentially reversing the symptoms of the levels, essentially reversing the symptoms of the levels, essentially reversing the symptoms of the disease.disease.disease.disease.

“The central importance of this work is in revealing “The central importance of this work is in revealing “The central importance of this work is in revealing “The central importance of this work is in revealing a potentially new cell therapy, for which appropriate a potentially new cell therapy, for which appropriate a potentially new cell therapy, for which appropriate a potentially new cell therapy, for which appropriate human cells are in hand, that can be used to restore human cells are in hand, that can be used to restore human cells are in hand, that can be used to restore human cells are in hand, that can be used to restore multiple neuronal populations and to rescue the multiple neuronal populations and to rescue the multiple neuronal populations and to rescue the multiple neuronal populations and to rescue the molecular machinery critical in communication molecular machinery critical in communication molecular machinery critical in communication molecular machinery critical in communication between nerve cells even when cells are transplanted between nerve cells even when cells are transplanted between nerve cells even when cells are transplanted between nerve cells even when cells are transplanted after the damage is already established,” after the damage is already established,” after the damage is already established,” after the damage is already established,”

said Mark Noble, Ph.D., the director of the URMC said Mark Noble, Ph.D., the director of the URMC said Mark Noble, Ph.D., the director of the URMC said Mark Noble, Ph.D., the director of the URMC Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Institute and a Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Institute and a Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Institute and a Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Institute and a cocococo----author of the study. “From what is already known author of the study. “From what is already known author of the study. “From what is already known author of the study. “From what is already known about these cells, it seems likely that they offer a about these cells, it seems likely that they offer a about these cells, it seems likely that they offer a about these cells, it seems likely that they offer a promising approach to a variety of neurological promising approach to a variety of neurological promising approach to a variety of neurological promising approach to a variety of neurological afflictions.”afflictions.”afflictions.”afflictions.”

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