An Auckland hospital doctor is about to present what are being called breakthrough developments in the treatment of Parkinson's disease to a world conference in San Diego.
Dr Barry Snow will present the findings of a trial involving pig cells - which Parkinson's patients in New Zealand are describing as life-changing.
Pig cell therapy going on in a south Auckland lab has caught the attention of international scientists and inspired the four patients who've taken part.
"The most important one for me is I've regained my joie de vivre," says Auckland trial participant Carol.
Carol was missing out on the joys of life until she was invited to take part in Living Cell Technologies' five-year trial.
The company, along with renowned Dr Snow – who's presenting the results this week in San Diego – is hailing NT cell therapy a success.
In each patient, up to 48 capsules containing thousands of pig cells are implanted into the brain.
"We encapsulate brain tissues in little gel structures like jellybeans and then we implant them, physically and surgically into the brain," says Jackie Lee of Living Cells Technology.
University of Cambridge Professor Roger Barker says the cells "produce a fluid [cerebrospinal fluid] which nourishes and cleans the brain if you like, and gets rid of all the bad products. So in that sense it's novel, unusual and very different."
The four patients have reported only positive effects within 26 weeks of surgery.
"I've got better control of my little fingers and I am getting my speaking voice back again," says Carol.
Up to 10,000 Kiwis have Parkinson's disease, a chronic and degenerative movement disorder caused by problems with nerve cells in the brain.
"We are over-the-moon. The four people have responded very well, so it gives us the chance to go on and look at wider research," says Stephanie Clare from Parkinson's New Zealand.
It's still early days for NT cell therapy, but a larger study kicks off later this year.
3 News
source: newshub archive
