Stem Cell-Based Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a primary neurodegenerative disease that can cause neuronal degeneration leading to disability. The continuing loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) leads to progressive degeneration. Although considerable research has been conducted on this disease, the lost neuron function cannot be satisfactorily recovered. Current therapeutic methods are primarily focused on symptomatic treatment. It is a great challenge to prevent disease progression. The advancement of stem cell research has raised a promising alternative approach for treating PD. This chapter reviews the pathophysiological process of this disease and summarizes the concept and advances in stem cell research as a novel therapeutic option for PD.