Parkinson's hope thanks to star Fox's Foundation

Stem cell breakthrough dramatically improves brain repair in sufferers

- Lucy Johnston

PARKINSON’S disease sufferers have been offered new hope thanks to a breakthrough in treatment funded by Hollywood star Michael J Fox’s charity.

The discovery gives a potential boost to thousands who rely on cocktails of drugs to help them manage symptoms.

Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative condition in which brain cells slowly degenerate and die, leading to a progressive deterioration in a person’s ability to control movement. Around 153,000 people are living with Parkinson’s in the UK, and one in every 37 people will be diagnosed with it at some point in their life.

Sufferers include singer Ozzy Osbourne, comedian Billy Connolly and former Newsnight and University Challenge host Jeremy Paxman.

Back to the Future star Fox – married to actress Tracy Pollan – is a leading campaigner for treatment. He was diagnosed with the condition in 1991 and went public about his struggles in 1998.