The present invention relates to methods for producing neural cells from progenitor or stem cells by activating both the Wnt1-Lmx1a/Lmx1b and the SHH-FoxA2 signaling pathways by, for example, increasing the biological activity of one or more of Wnt1, Lmx1a, Lmx1b, Otx2 and Pitx3 and one or more of SHH, FoxA2 and Nurr1 in the progenitor or stem cells including embryonic stem cells and iPS cells. Such cells may be used for the treatment of Parkinsons disease. The invention further relates to methods for treating Parkinsons disease by increasing the biological activity of one or more of Wnt1, Lmx1b, Lmx1b, Otx2 and Pitx3 and one or more of SHH, FoxA2 and Nurr1 in the midbrain of a patient. In particular, the biological activity of the proteins can be increased by virtue of a cell penetrating peptide fused to the proteins or by transfecting RNAs encoding the proteins such that the host chromosomal DNAs remain intact.
