Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s Disease is a disorder that eats away at brain cells — specifically dopamine neurons — that control movement, emotion, concentration, and memory (among other things).

The disease often begins with tremors. Then muscles lock up. The disease eventually makes walking and sleeping more difficult. As neurons die, thinking becomes harder, as concentration and memory become affected. (1)

Parkinson’s is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease in the world. (1) Around 90,000 new cases per year in US. (1)

The neurons in the substantia nigra — a region in the midbrain — gradually die, the whole area deteriorates, but the dopamine producing neurons are the first to go.

This region also controls addictive behaviors and motor control (like gambling

New Research

In April 2025, two studies (with nearly two dozen patients with Parkinson’s) showed that replacing dying neurons with a transplant of new ones grown for them in the lab from donors, is safe. (1)

Patients reported higher dopamine levels off of a single transplant for 18 months afterward. (1) Grew them in petri dishes, and created a large supply of replacement neurons for the patient’s. (1)

Treatments

• Levodopa — medication has shown some effect. Dopamine producing neurons drink up the drug, and transform it into dopamine. But as the neurons die, the drug decreases in effectiveness.

Resources

1. Fan, Shelly. Parkinson’s Patients Say Their Symptoms Eased After Receiving Millions of New Brain Cells. 17 April 2025. Singularity Hub. <https://singularityhub.com/2025/04/17/parkinsons-patients-say-their-symptoms-eased-after-receiving-millions-of-new-brain-cells/> Accessed 18 Aug 2025.