Transforming brain cells from Parkinson's patients into dopamine-producing neurons
Official title: Generation of Parkinson-derived human glial progenitor cells for dopaminergic neuronal conversion
Funded at Rosalind Franklin Univ of Medicine & Sci · NIH-10996785 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to help people with Parkinson's disease by using their own brain cells to create new neurons that produce dopamine, which could help improve their movement and make treatment more personal and effective.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rosalind Franklin Univ of Medicine & Sci NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (North Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $429,925 |
| NIH project number | 1R21NS135306-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10996785 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults diagnosed with Parkinson's disease who have experienced motor symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with Parkinson's disease who do not have accessible glial progenitor cells or those with advanced stages of the disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new method to treat Parkinson's disease by reprogramming glial progenitor cells from patients' own brains into dopamine-producing neurons. Instead of relying on external sources of cells, this approach aims to utilize the patient's own cells, potentially reducing complications related to sourcing and ethics. The researchers will explore how to effectively convert these glial cells into the necessary neurons to alleviate motor symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease. This innovative strategy could lead to more personalized and effective treatments for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a groundbreaking treatment option for Parkinson's patients by restoring dopamine levels and improving motor function.
How similar studies have gone: While similar approaches using induced pluripotent stem cells have shown promise, this specific method of reprogramming glial progenitor cells is novel and has not yet been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Rosalind Franklin Univ of Medicine & Sci
North Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Peterson, Daniel Alan — Rosalind Franklin Univ of Medicine & Sci
- Study coordinator: Peterson, Daniel Alan
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.