Kyoto University said Friday it has conducted the world's first transplant of induced pluripotent stem cells to treat Parkinson's disease.

Nerve cells created from the artificially derived stem cells were transplanted into the brain of a patient in his 50s in October in a treatment that researchers hope to develop into a method widely used internationally and covered by health insurance.

Parkinson's disease reduces dopamine-producing neurons in the brain and results in tremors in the hands and feet, and stiffness in the body. While there are treatments to relieve the symptoms, there is currently no cure for the disease.

In Japan, an estimated 160,000 people suffer from the progressive neurological disorder. Many patients develop symptoms in their 50s or older, and the number of patients is rising due to the aging of society.

According to the treatment plan, the nerve cells transplanted into the brain were created using iPS cells derived from people who had types of immunity that made them less prone to transplant rejections.

The nerve cells are expected to supplement dopamine-emitting neurons.

Source: ANNnewsCH