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Short Wave

Short Wave

What Do Stem Cells Mean For The Future Of Parkinson's?

Sep 16, 2025 · 15m

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Parkinson’s Disease affects around a million people in the United States. And that number is on the rise, in part because our population is getting older. Dr. Claire Henchcliffe , chair of neurology at the University of California, Irvine, is one of the scientists at the forefront of Parkinson’s research. She's working toward new treatment options for Parkinson’s, including recent discoveries about the potential use of stem cells. Science correspondent Jon Hamilton dives into this research — and even a future where scientists can prevent the disease altogether — on the show with Henchcliffe. Interested in more on the future of brain science? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org – we…