Revolutionary Stem Cell Trial Offers New Hope for Parkinson's Patients

**Mass General Brigham** has launched a Phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate a novel treatment for Parkinson's disease, utilizing patients' own stem cells. These autologous stem cells are reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and then converted into midbrain dopaminergic neurons, targeting the replacement of neurons damaged by the disease. The trial will track six participants for a year to assess safety and monitor improvements. This approach potentially offers a significant advancement over current treatments as it avoids the need for immunosuppressive therapy. Under the guidance of **Ole Isacson** at McLean Hospital's Neuroregeneration Research Institute, the trial represents decades of pioneering work in cell therapy for Parkinson's. Initial preclinical successes date back to 2002, with significant developments in human iPSC-derived dopamine neurons in 2010. The FDA approved this innovative autologous therapy in 2023. Directed by **Penny Hallett** and colleagues at Mass General Brigham, this trial reflects a collaborative effort with Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School affiliates. Funded by a NIH's NINDS grant, this trial aims to open up a new treatment paradigm for neurodegenerative diseases.