Scientists have reportedly made a breakthrough in the fight against Parkinson’s disease (Picture: AP)

Scientists working on treatments for Parkinson’s disease have made a ‘huge breakthrough’ using stem cells.

They were able to heal parts of a rat’s brain that had been simulated to appear as if it was damaged by the disorder, according to the BBC.

Human embryonic stem cells were converted to neurons and then used to generate dopamine, which decreases in the brain for anyone effected by Parkinson’s.

It was then injected into the vermins’ brain.


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The scientists from Lund University, in Sweden, said human trials could start in just over two years but charity Parkinson’s UK erred on the side of caution, adding it was still in the dark over many issues surrounding the experiment.



Arthur Roach, the charity’s director of research and development, said: ‘This important research is a key step along the way in helping us to understand how stem cells might shape future Parkinson’s treatments.

‘There are important potential advantages of these cells over the foetal-derived cells used in past cell transplantation work.’

There is currently no cure for Parkinson’s.

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