The Longevity Reality Radar
46 approaches, rated by evidence.

Stem-cell therapy for Parkinson's

Stem-cell dopamine neurons for Parkinson's (Aspen ASPIRO / Sumitomo raguneprocel). Brain & neurodegeneration. Reviewed Jul 2026.

Motor symptoms eased or stabilised for up to two years in small cohorts, with no large randomised results yet.

Stage
Phase 1/2, conditional approval in Japan
Rung: In human trials. Phase 1 to 3. Being tested in people now. Most will not make it.
Evidence grade
C
small cohorts
Small or uncontrolled human data, or strong animal data. How grades work.

What it is

Lab-grown dopamine-producing neurons implanted into the brain to replace the cells Parkinson's destroys.

The evidence

Aspen's autologous iPSC trial (ASPIRO) reported positive 12-month data in 2026; Sumitomo's allogeneic product received conditional approval in Japan. Motor symptoms eased or stabilised over up to 2 years in small cohorts.

What you can do today

Outside a registered clinical trial, this is not something you can responsibly get. If it is relevant to you, the route is a trial: ask your specialist, or search a trial registry such as ClinicalTrials.gov for studies you may qualify for.

Sources

No primary paper or registry record is linked for this entry yet. The evidence summary names the studies it relies on.

Change history

No ladder moves or corrections logged for this entry yet. Changes are dated on the change log.

Related

More in Brain & neurodegeneration

All 5 in Brain & neurodegeneration.

  • Lecanemab and donanemabGrade A, outcome RCTs. Approved.Slows cognitive decline by about 27 to 35% in early Alzheimer's, which is not a cure, and brain swelling or bleeding is a real risk.
  • 40 Hz light and sound for Alzheimer'sGrade C, small human trial. Phase 3, no results yet.Strong mouse data and one small human feasibility trial, but the Phase 3 has not reported and human efficacy is not established.
  • GLP-1 drugs for brain healthGrade C, emerging data. Phase 2/3.Early signals of better memory, but large trials are still running and no brain benefit is proven.
  • Psilocybin for brain agingGrade D, one case report. Speculative.A single Alzheimer's case report and preliminary lab data, not a basis for treating brain aging.