(from a PD blog in the UK)
23rd February 2012 6 – 8:30 University College London
...a stimulating and tantalising glimpse of the leading edges of cell and growth factor research.

Sonja Kriks of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center New York took us through the process of creating Dopaminergic Neurons from human embryo stem cells. I can not summarise the complex process but
...
It looks like they will be applying to start clinical trials soon

Alan Whone from Bristol then took us through the state of play on GDNF (growth factor) treatments... The group in Bristol are planning a new trial where the GDNF is delivered via a slow infusion through several fine tubes connected to a port set, like some hearing aids into the bone behind the ear and in size and appearance resembling an earphone socket on an iPod. This avoids the need for an abdominal pump. The GDNF is administered every few week via the port. The team were also looking at using bone marrow (which is itself a source of GDNF) as a delivery medium via intravenous injection.
It was pointed out that GDNF, though very effective also encouraged the growth of Serotonin-ptoducers and that this could cause Dyskinesias to worsen.

Professor Anders Bjorklund from Lund in Sweden gave 2 talks: the first was on Cell Replacement by transplanting foetal brain cells into patients....

His second talk was on NURR1 a protein that plays a major role as a transcription factor, regulating the way in which Dopaminergic and other cells develop.... NURR1 has a key role in producing new dopaminergic cells, it also regulates GDNF and functions as a neuroprotective agent.
... – none of the speakers had the magic bullet or could give a date for their discoveries to produce widespread improvements in treatments but I left feeling very optimistic. There was a real sense of discovery and progress in the meeting...

http://www.parkinsons.org.uk/pdsforu...ich-carries-th