A potential cure for Parkinson's disease has come a significant step closer with a study using adult stem cells.

Scientists successfully reprogrammed rat skin cells into stem cells (a process known as induced pluripotent stem cells). These cells were then transplanted into the brains of the rats and eased their Parkinson's-like symptoms.

Dr Kieran Breen, Director of Research and Development at the Parkinson's Disease Society said:

"Stem cell therapy offers great hope for repairing the brain in people with Parkinson's. It may ultimately offer a cure, allowing people to lead a life that is free from the symptoms of Parkinson's.

"The aim of stem cell therapy in Parkinson's disease is to replace the dead dopamine-producing nerve cells with new, healthy cells. This will restore the supply of dopamine within the brain and allows it to work normally again.

"This is the first time that adult cells have been used successfully to reduce Parkinson's symptoms in an animal model and is therefore an important step forward.

"Researchers in this area now need to carry out more studies to satisfy safety concerns and to make the process more efficient before these studies are carried out on people living with Parkinson's.

"However, for the development of therapies it is too early to assume that this will replace embryonic stem cells. It is vitally important that scientists continue to pursue all stem cell research avenues, (adult cells, embryonic stem cells and cytoplasmic hybrid cells) to ensure that no stone is left unturned in the quest for a cure".

The Parkinson's Disease Society is the UK's leading non-commercial funder of Parkinson's research and has invested more than £1.6million into research using stem cells since 2001. We have already invested in 13 stem cell research projects at institutions across the UK. This is only possible because of voluntary donations we have received from our supporters.