Scientists have spent twenty years researching the implanting of cells directly into the brain to replace dead ones. It is hoped that this could become a useful treatment for diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease, Stroke, Parkinson’s Disease, and possibly Huntingdon’s Disease and Epilepsy.
So far 17 people with Parkinson’s Disease have had the treatment performed by Olle Lindvall, of University Hospital, Lund in Sweden. The results have been encouraging and some patients have been able to come off their medication and return to work. Treatment involves drilling holes into the skull, so that new cells from embryonic tissue can be injected into the striatum of the brain.