Scientists from Bristol invented an implant providing brains of Parkinson’s disease patients with proteins preventing the progression of the disease.
The experts hope this technique will monitor the growth of damaged cells. The protein, or glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), is injected every month through a special port located behind the ear. Doctors at the Frenchay Hospital in Bristol have already tested the new system on six patients and are currently looking for 36 more volunteers to continue the research.
The first patient in the world to test the new system was Tom Phipps from Bristol, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease eight years ago (when the patient was 50 years old).
