I Can Cure my Dad of Parkinson’s Disease

I learned on November 9 that my dad had the onset of Parkinson’s Disease.  I told him that adult stem cell research might cure him of the disease.  We’ll see what is done about the ailment.  

There are drugs that can moderate the symptoms of the ailment which is often trembling like what Pope John Paul II showed and also Mohammed Ali.  The cells in the brain that produce dopamine aren’t able to function properly and the rest of the body is affected.  

One way to attack the disease is to use stem cells that can be programmed to take over in the part of the brain that produces dopamine.   If that can be done, the new cells could replace the ones tht aren’t working.  

If the cells can be referenced to form a pattern for the replication of new cells, other parts of the brain that aren’t functioning normally, as in the case of Alzheimer’s disease, could be rebuilt with new cells to replace the defective ones.  

Implants might be used to replace the defective cells that can be programmed to produce dopamine.  Since dopamine can be synthesized, it should be fairly easy for the implants to be computerized catalysts that can take simple chemicals and form them into dopamine.  The implants may need to be powered externally to do their job.  

Other implants might compensate for the loss of motor control.  They would make sure nerve signals can go to where they are required.  Cerebal palsy may benefit from such implants.  So the work being done to cure Alzheimers and Parkinson’s might be applied to research being done on cerebral palsy.  

Some think there might be a genetic cause for Pakinson’s.   If that is the case, genetic manipulation might be used or gene replacement.  When they genetically reference babies in the future, faulty genes might be detected for future treatment. 

I don’t consider my dad’s Parkinson’s as a tragedy.  I consider it a challenge I would like to conquer for the good of my dad and for those who have the disease.