Using patient-derived stem cells to create dopamine neurons for treating Parkinson's disease

Parkinsons Disease Scalable iPSC Autologous Cell Therapy

NIH-funded research Mclean Hospital · NIH-10763359

This study is testing a new treatment for Parkinson's disease that uses your own cells to create brain cells that produce dopamine, with the hope of helping to improve your symptoms and make existing treatments work better.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMclean Hospital NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Belmont, United States)
Project IDNIH-10763359 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing a new treatment for Parkinson's disease by using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from patients' own cells to create dopamine-producing neurons. The approach aims to replace damaged neurons in the brain, which can help alleviate both motor symptoms and complications from existing treatments. The project includes a clinical trial to test the safety and effectiveness of this autologous cell therapy in patients with Parkinson's disease. By utilizing patients' own cells, the therapy aims to minimize the risk of rejection and improve long-term outcomes.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's disease who are experiencing motor symptoms and are interested in innovative treatment options.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have Parkinson's disease or those who are not suitable candidates for cell therapy may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a groundbreaking treatment option that restores dopamine function in Parkinson's disease patients, potentially improving their quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research with fetal cell transplantation has shown promising results, indicating that similar approaches using iPSCs could also be effective, although this specific method is novel.

Where this research is happening

Belmont, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.