The research center Applied Medicine (CIMA ) of the University of Navarra will collaborate in the implementation of a project of research on adult stem cell therapy in Parkinson's disease. The study "project at network of research on neural stem cells and neurogenesis in Parkinson's disease" is the result of the agreement signed this morning with the Government of Navarra, Kutxa and the Inbiomed Foundation in which research center Príncipe Felipe de Valencia participates. Signing the text are Francisco Errasti, director general of CIMA, on behalf of the Foundation for Applied Medical research , María Kutz, Minister of Health of the Government of Navarra, Juan José Goya, director of Kutxa Foundation, on behalf of the Caja de Ahorros y Monte de Piedad de Guipúzcoa y San Sebastián and Dr. Gurutz Linazasoro, executive president of the Foundation Institute for Biomedical research and development Technology of San Sebastian (Inbiomed Foundation).

"The goal of this work is to deepen in the mechanisms that regulate the training of new neurons in the brain and its possible application in the treatment of degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease," explains Dr. Mª Rosario Luquin, researcher at area of Neurosciences of CIMA and manager of project.

The application of regenerative medicine in neurodegenerative disorders requires a coordinated vision and multidisciplinary that brings the advances obtained in research with adult stem cells closer to their clinical application. Through this agreement, Kutxa contributes the amount of 265,284 euros during 2010, 2011 and 2012 to carry out this project at CIMA. For its part, the department de Salud of the Government of Navarra undertakes to ensure compliance with the scientific project in the Comunidad Foral, to collaborate in its management and to act as intermediary between the participants. The Inbiomed Foundation is responsible for coordinating project.

100,000 Parkinson's patients

Parkinson's disease (PD) affects 2% of the population over 60 years of age. In Spain, more than 100,000 patients and their families suffer the consequences of this chronic and progressive pathology which, for the time being, is not susceptible to curative treatment.

PD is characterized by a progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons. Regenerative medicine offers a high therapeutic potential in the treatment of this disease. "Cell therapy in PD aims to replace the lost neurons by activating our own cells or by transplanting stem cells that can differentiate in the brain into dopaminergic cells," according to Dr. Luquin.