Parkinson’s & Movement disorders

Two independent clinical trials demonstrate the safety of stem cell therapies for Parkinson’s disease. The papers, published in Nature this week, investigate the use of cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells and human embryonic stem cells, respectively. However, further research is needed to test the effectiveness and clinical benefits of these therapies.

Children with cerebral palsy often have difficulty walking, which can affect their relationships with peers and overall quality of life. People with visual impairment can experience similar difficulties with balance, spatial awareness and negotiating obstacles. People with visual impairments have reported that their greatest barrier to improved mobility was the discriminatory attitudes of others. Guide dogs and assistance dogs have tended to improve the quality of life for people with visual impairments, bringing admiration from others and improving confidence and independence.

People with obstructive sleep apnea have an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease, but if started early enough, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) may reduce that risk, according to a preliminary study presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 77th Annual Meeting taking place April 5–9, 2025, in San Diego and online.

A new discovery in blood immune cells has put researchers one step closer to identifying a blood biomarker that would allow doctors to personalize treatments for Parkinson’s disease.