Rats have been pivotal in the research against liver cirrhosis. Now, these tiny critters are central in the fight against Parkinson's disease once again. Scientists from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have successfully shown that artificial stem cells can cure Parkinson's symptoms in lab rats.

Stem cell research has always been controversial because they involve the use of embryos. However, the MIT researchers used human skin cells in this one, reprogramming them to turn into induced pluripotent stem (IPS) cells.

Parkinson's disease targets the central nervous system and degenerates it until it breaks down. One of its symptoms is sickle-cell anemia, something the lab rats have. As observed by the MIT researchers, the IPS cells integrate themselves into the neural system and positively affect the diseased cells.

The MIT researchers firmly believe that this is an indication that the same can be done with humans - although they themselves agree that a lot of obstacles with reprogramming cells must be addressed first.