Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's Disease progresses over time leaving the person unable to walk or talk. It is rarely fatal. The cause is the slow deterioration of the nerve cells that produce dopamine.

• What role does dopamine play in the nervous system?

As these cells deteriorate they also leave a hole in the brain, specifically in the substantia nigra.

• Where is the substantia nigra found in the brain?
• What functions are attributed to the substantia nigra?

While persons suffering from Parkinson's disease may be treated with drugs that supply dopamine, the effectiveness of the drugs decreases within a few years leaving the person catatonic. Tissue transplants may work, but people may have an ethical issue using cells from human embryos.

Clearly there must be an alternative.