Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026
09:19
High Throughput Characterization of Adult Stem Cells Engineered for Delivery of Therapeutic Factors for Neuroprotective Strategies
Published on: January 4, 2015
Stem cell-based cell therapy in neurological diseases: a review
1Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, UBC Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. sukim@interchange.ubc.ca
Journal of Neuroscience Research
|March 21, 2009
Summary
Stem cell therapies offer hope for neurological disorders like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's by replacing lost brain cells. Further research is needed to identify ideal stem cells and understand their mechanisms for effective clinical application.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Regenerative Medicine
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Neurological disorders, including Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, ALS, MS, and stroke, result from neuron and glial cell loss.
- Cell replacement and gene transfer are promising therapeutic strategies for these conditions.
- A major hurdle has been the limited availability of suitable cell types for transplantation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review experimental and preclinical studies on stem cell-based therapies for neurological diseases.
- To discuss the potential and challenges of stem cell therapy in clinical settings.
- To highlight future prospects for treating a range of neurological conditions.
Main Methods:
- Review of published experimental and preclinical studies.
- Focus on stem cell-based cell and gene therapies.
- Analysis of applications in Parkinson's, Huntington's, ALS, Alzheimer's, MS, stroke, spinal cord injury, brain tumors, and lysosomal storage diseases.
Main Results:
- Neurons and glial cells can be generated from various stem cells (embryonic, mesenchymal, neural).
- Extensive research has been conducted on stem cell-based brain transplantation.
- Studies cover a broad spectrum of neurological disorders, showing therapeutic potential.
Conclusions:
- Stem cell therapy holds significant promise for treating neurological disorders.
- Key challenges remain, including identifying optimal stem cell sources and elucidating transplantation mechanisms for functional recovery.
- Continued progress in basic and preclinical stem cell research is crucial for clinical translation.
Related Concept Videos
01:21EPS and iPS Cells in Disease Research
Embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells are excellent models for disease research because of their ability to self-renew and differentiate into most cell types. Somatic cells from a patient are isolated and reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells or iPSCs. These iPSCs are later differentiated into the desired cell type, which mirrors the diseased cell of the patient. In this way, disease models have been created for investigating diseases such as Down syndrome, type I diabetes,...
01:22iPS Cell Differentiation
The ability of induced pluripotent stem cells or iPSCs to differentiate into most body cell types has stimulated repair and regenerative medicine research over the past few decades. iPSC-derived blood cells, hepatocytes, beta islet cells, cardiomyocytes, neurons, and other cell types can repair injuries or regenerate damaged tissue in diseases such as diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders.
01:21Stem Cell Therapy for Tissue Regeneration
Stem cell therapy is a method used in regenerative medicine to repair and restore function to damaged tissues and organs. Stem cells have the potential to proliferate and differentiate into various tissue types, making them ideal candidates for tissue regeneration. For example, hematopoietic stem cell transplants are commonly used in blood cancer treatment to replenish damaged bone marrow and restore healthy blood cells.
Types of Stem Cells used in Stem Cell Therapy
The two main cell types that...
Types of Stem Cells used in Stem Cell Therapy
The two main cell types that...
01:17Stem Cell Culture
Stem cell research aims to find ways to use stem cells to regenerate and repair cellular damage. Over time, most adult cells undergo the wear and tear of aging and lose their ability to divide and repair themselves. Stem cells do not display a particular morphology or function. Adult stem cells, which exist as a small subset of cells in most tissues, keep dividing and can differentiate into a number of specialized cells generally formed by that tissue. These cells enable the body to renew and...
01:13Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different types of cells. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are post-mitotic—that is, they no longer divide. However, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they “de-differentiate” and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are also pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are therefore called induced pluripotent stem...