Core Insights - Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder affecting approximately 1%-2% of individuals aged 65 and older, with projections indicating over 14 million patients globally by 2040 due to aging populations [2] - Current treatments like L-DOPA alleviate symptoms in early stages but have diminishing effects and often lead to side effects such as involuntary movements [2] - Cell therapy, particularly the supplementation of dopaminergic neurons in the brain, shows promise for more effective and less side-effect-prone treatments for PD [2] Research Development - A research team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Fudan University developed a 3D cell culture system called SphereDiff, which efficiently generates high-purity midbrain dopaminergic progenitor cells (mDAP) from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) [3][4] - The study demonstrated that transplanted mDA neurons restored dopamine levels and corrected motor dysfunction in Parkinson's disease model mice [4] - Single-cell spatial transcriptomics revealed the distribution patterns of mDA neuron subtypes and glial cells, while the TX-SISBAR technique clarified the lineage fate of donor cells post-transplantation [4][9] Key Highlights - The SphereDiff system represents a significant advancement in generating mDAP cells, providing a safer and more effective strategy for PD cell therapy [5][7] - The research emphasizes the potential of human pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons in treating neurodegenerative diseases, showcasing the broader application prospects in regenerative medicine [7][8]