http://www.lifenews.com/bio2751.html (in china,germany, india and at last in us NOW )

UCLA researchers published their results in February issue of the Bentham Open Stem Cell Journal which outlines the long term results of the trial.

"We have documented the first successful adult neural stem cell transplantation to reverse the effects of Parkinson's disease and demonstrated the long term safety and therapeutic effects of this approach," says lead author Dr. Michel Levesque.

The paper describes how Levesque's team was able to isolate patient-derived neural stem cells, multiply them in vitro and ultimately differentiate them to produce mature neurons before they are reintroduced into the brain.

The team was able to inject the adult stem cells without the need for immunosuppressants. Unlike embryonic stem cells, adult stem cell injections don't cause a patient's immune system to reject the cells.

The adult stem cells were highly beneficial for the patient involved in the study.

"Of particular note are the striking results this study yielded -- for the five years following the procedure the patient's motor scales improved by over 80% for at least 36 months," Levesque wrote.

He said he hoped a larger clinical trial would replicate the findings.

I hope they're not lying.

What was apparently an experiment with one patient has now become a "Phase 1" trial six or seven years after the fact?

I see great merit in this approach, don't get me wrong, but I imagine there is a big story of money and politics behind this PR Announcement.

MJFF has thrown its muscle behind an Israeli company called Brainstorm Therapeutics, which is also talking to the FDA and has been planning trials with their "NurOwn" adult stem cell therapy, if I remember correctly.

I'd like to know more about Dr. Levesque's company and why its taken them this long to announce a Phase II study.

I do not want to influence anyone to draw any conclusions. My purpose is to learn and pass it on. I would like a treatment of course, so far be it from me to declare any judgement on why this article is out at this time.

However, once again, I seem to have a connection to this puzzle, because Dr. Levesque interviewed with us on Grassroots Connection. Linda H. dug it up on way back archives and here it is.

Note year and what is said about dopamine levels.

http://web.archive.org/web/20030207142935/www.grassrootsconnection.com/levesque.htm

paula

hi all,
is this paper published already? I cannot get to the Feb issue of stem cell journal. If anyone you seen the paper could you please post the ref? I am curious to see the origin of cells that were transplanted and many more details of course!
thanks
Girija

Hi Paula,
I"m not quite putting it together - what are the implications that you see in this presentation of information and its timing? I really want to know what your thoughts are...if you don't want to say it publicly, maybe PM me? I really want to know what you think.
thanks,
Fiona

Dr. Leveque has had the ability to do this stem cell trasplantation for at least 10 years,
yes - it worked on his first patient without doing any harm to him -
I also have spoken to the patient. who was thrilled with the stem cell
because he didnt have to take meds at all - Dennis also testified before the Senate

I know Dr. Michel Levesque personally , he is a great neuroscientist and neurosurgeon -
I have met him and have all confidence in him -

He uses your very own stem cells, which is very good because the body -
will not reject them -
I believe
The Bush administration stopped all attempts at the USA using stem cell's
so he could have more money for War.

here is an article -
Renowned Medical Research Pioneer Michel Levesque, M.D. Addresses U.S. Senate Committee on Stem...
Publication: Business Wire
Date: Wednesday, July 14 2004

WASHINGTON -- Founder of NeuroGeneration Biotech Company Speaks on Groundbreaking Advances in Adult Neural Stem Cell Research for Diseases Such as Parkinson's

Adult human neural stem cells derived from a patient's own tissue offer a promising source of replacement neurons, useful in the treatment

of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease, according to Michel Levesque, M.D., a physician, neuroscientist and neurosurgeon based at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Levesque presented this and other medical findings related to adult stem cell research today on Capitol Hill to the U.S.

http://www.allbusiness.com/medicine-...5668084-1.html
and another link
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...g=content;col1
and his most recent link
Groundbreaking Paper Publishes Long Term Results Of A Successful Phase I Clinical Trial To Treat Parkinson's Disease
17 Feb 2009

Scientists announced the publication of a landmark peer-reviewed paper in the February issue of the Bentham Open Stem Cell Journal which outlines the long term results of the world's first clinical trial using autologous neural stem cells for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. According to lead author, Michel F. Levesque, MD, FRCS(C), FACS, "We have documented the first successful adult neural stem cell transplantation to reverse the effects of Parkinson's disease and demonstrated the long term safety and therapeutic effects of this approach." Dr Levesque is a principal investigator for NeuroGeneration, a biotechnology company, and is affiliated with the UCLA School of Medicine and the Brain Research Institute.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/prin...?newsid=139199

Ms. Jo Rosen- of the Parkinson's Resource Org.
has been honored to have a great connection with Dr. Michel Levesque,
here is the web address if you live in Palm Dessert CA - USA - you could go to see her
http://www.parkinsonsresource.org/

The publication of this one patient "clinical trial" in an open journal, defining it as a long term effects report is not a bad thing by itself. I admire Dr. Levesque; he is a pioneer, and I don't know why his work didn't continue. He said many years ago that he was trying to get FDA approval and was resolving conflicts of interest in setting up a company.

But then I read the article at this link and see that Dr. David Prentice is using this for his own agenda. This man is a staunch anti -escr advocate - which he has every right to be. The problem lies with his list of 72 diseases helped by adult stem cells. It lacks credibility and has blatant errors and distortions. Here's what it lists as adult stem cell help for Parkinson's:

PARKINSON’S DISEASE

USING DIRECT STIMULATION OF PATIENTS’ ENDOGENOUS ADULT NEURAL
STEM CELLS:

Love S

Nature Medicine 9, 589-595; May 2003 (published online 31 March 2003)

He may as well list sinemet and all the meds we are on as adult cell therapy if he is going to list GDNF as adult stem cell therapy. And in case there is anyone who doesn't know this - it failed according to Amgen.

A quote from Prentice:

David Prentice, a former biology professor at Indiana State University who is now a fellow with the Family Research Council, tells LifeNews.com that the results of the study are wonderful news for patients.
"This evidence had been presented previously, but we now have the peer-reviewed scientific evidence for the effectiveness of adult stem cells in alleviating Parkinson's symptoms," he said. "While the data show that the technique needs refinement, this patient went for several years with little to no symptoms of his disease, even with only half of the brain treated with his own adult stem cells."
Prentice says the results continue to prove that adult stem cells outpace their embryonic counterparts

http://www.lifenews.com/bio2751.html

With a new Pres. who has said he will lift the escr ban, it's hard not to suspect that this is a political move. Especially with no new information and the 36 month span of patient improvement ended long ago.

I don't want to debate stem cells. That really isn't the purpose here. I think Prentice lacks credibility and this is just one more "stretching the truth" tactic IMHO.


What I am not saying, is that I suspect any misconduct on the part of Dr. Levesque. I have no reason to and thus the lack of bias disclaimer.

paula

"Especially with no new information and the 36 month span of patient improvement ended long ago."

Paula, I read that too....it sounded like Dennis had an 80% improvement, without meds, for the first 36 months....but then what happened? Did he go back to where he was? Did the improvement drop to 25% in year 4, and lower in year 5?

Thanks for any info. you have that you can share.

This is the last source I found on google so far and that was 5 yrs ago. If I find out more I'll let you know. The patient testified in D.C.

http://www.leaderu.com/science/stemc...ny_turner.html

paula