Could Parkinson’s disease be cured by transplanting PIG CELLS into the brain? Early trials may hold the key to the first ever remedy

The futuristic technique has already proved that it can be successful on rats
Four patients who have had the procedure are believed to be on the mend
The firm behind the treatment believe it could offer hope to millions of sufferers

Transplanting pig cells into the brain may be able to cure Parkinson’s disease, new research suggests.

The futuristic technique, which is still very early on in trials, shows promising signs as a potential new remedy.

Four patients of the progressive disease in New Zealand who have undergone the procedure are believed to be on the mend.

It has already proved to be a success on rats, and 18 more human sufferers have since undergone the same process in the hope of a cure.

The futuristic technique using pig cells, which is still very early on in trials, shows promising signs as a potential new remedy

Ken Taylor, chief executive of Living Cell Technologies, which crafted the treatment, is a firm believer that it could offer hope to millions.

He told New Scientist: ‘It’s putting in a little neurochemical factory to promote new cell growth and repair.’

What is Parkinson’s?

Around 127,000 people in the UK are believed to have Parkinson’s, which causes tremors, slow movements and muscle rigidity. Worldwide, more than 10 million are believed to be affected.

It is a progressive neurological condition that destroys cells in the part of the brain that controls movement.

LOW-FAT DAIRY RAISES THE RISK OF PARKINSON’S DISEASE

People who drink skimmed milk are more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease, research suggested earlier this month.

A major study by US experts at Harvard University found a significant link between regular consumption of low-fat dairy – such as yogurt, milk and cheese – and the development of the neurological condition.

The researchers, who assessed data from 130,000 people tracked over 25 years, found people who drink skimmed or semi-skimmed milk more than once a day are 39 percent more likely to develop Parkinson’s than people who do so less than once a week.

Crucially, the same link was not seen for full-fat milk.

The researchers believe this may be due to low-fat dairy containing less amounts of the compound urate, which protects against Parkinson’s.

Another theory suggests pesticides that get into dairy may be to blame, although this does not explain the specific link to low-fat products.

Sufferers are known to have diminished supplies of dopamine because nerve cells that make it have died.

There is currently no cure and no way of stopping the progression of the disease, but the new findings offer hope.

How does it work?

The treatment in question uses cells from the choroid plexus in pigs to put into tiny capsules around 0.5mm wide.

This region has a vast array of molecules and other essential chemicals that can keep cells in the brain healthy – stopping the onslaught of Parkinson’s.

The capsules they are placed in are made using a material derived from seaweed and then placed inside the human brain.

Researchers believe these cells will then slow further loss by keeping the few dopamine-producing ones healthy.

What did they find?

In the initial human trial that was conducted, each of the four patients were given 40 capsules in one side of their brain.

The researchers noted an average improvement score of 14 points over the course of 18 months, which normally deteriorates.

Results from the larger study, which has seen 120 capsules used in each patient, are due in November, the website reports.

It comes after a Massachusetts General Hospital study claimed that redheads are more likely to develop Parkinson’s.

In March, the scientists discovered the same gene that gives ginger people a higher risk of skin cancer also sets them up for the debilitating and fatal brain disorder.