Stem cells have been discussed many times on this forum but I remain confused about a contradiction. On the one hand I see ads for stem cell therapy from what appear to be reputable American or European clinics staffed by medical doctors. They all promise good results with PD and many have the usual glowing testimonials. The commonest treatment appears to be cells taken from adipose (fat) tissue.

On the other hand the official view is that stem cell therapy is not ready for prime time yet and researchers are still working with it. I even found an interview with Michael J Fox saying he didn't expect results any time soon with stem cells and that drugs were more promising.

What am I missing? I could speculate about the reasons for this disparity. The clinics are lying or exaggerating, something that doesn't seem possible over the long run. The researchers could just be talking out their particular method which hasn't been perfected yet. I really don't know.

Has anyone attended any of these clinics and what was your experience?

https://www.michaeljfox.org/foundati...-to-stem-cells

the problem with these clinics is that none have provided credible people with objective results from treatment.

The lack of any response to your post supports this belief that the"the clinics" are not yet ready for prime time.

Neil.

The stem cello "clinics", have nothing as of yet. They recently changed their tune on PD treatment, from an "peripheral injectable" form to an actual " brain opened implant" by transplanting ( so they say) " stem cells " (of a dubious nature) through a n invasive surgery, supposedly into the Substantia Nigra .
The claims for stem cell lines have been blurred and contorted in order to fill the as yet unrealized promise for neural net replacement. It has been extremely difficult to develop working, dependable cell types for the extremely complicated and sensitive task of brain regeneration, especially without making regulatory agencies in our country balk at their inclusion into the realm of approving " safe and effective" cell lines of ethically exempted nature. It really has been a long road fraught with difficulties to invent " the real thing" which will do the job that needs to be done. So many technical considerations still need work! However, I will take heart till my last breath that there still may be a way, soon, I hope!