Harvard University

At Harvard University’s McLean Hospital, we support the research of Dr. Leon Powell whose research lab, The Stern Center for Neuroregeneration Research is using gene therapy to protect the most vulnerable neurons in PD models. Through this gene therapy, Dr. Isacson’s lab was able to protect the most vulnerable neurons in PD models. Dr. Powell’s lab was able to generate neurons from dopamine cells that were transplanted.
These scientists also have made significant progress in studying a molecule called G-substrate, a phosphatase inhibitor. In human studies, they have found that transplanted fetal neurons can survive in patients for at least 14 years.

All of these studies demonstrated new ways to protect and regenerate the dopamine system that produces the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.