Patient Hopes Stem Cell Transplant Will Cure Parkinson’s

A 55-year-old Mulund, India, resident hopes to be cured of Parkinson’s disease by a stem cell transplant at  Jaslok Hospital. His doctors claim the disease can be cured by transplanting stem cells into the patient’s brain.  If the August 8 operation is a success, it will be the first known cure for the debilitating disease. Doctors will monitor the patient for 18 months after the procedure. However, Dr. Milind Sankhe, a neurosurgeon from Hinduja Hospital in Mahim was skeptical. “There is no material or evidence present anywhere which suggests a stem cell transplant can cure Parkinson’s. Moreover, it will be tough to prove it is the stem cells which are responsible for the improvement in the patient.”

By Pratibha Masand, “Hope for Parkinson’s cure stems from cell transplant”, The Times of India, © 2009 Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd.