Stem Cells as a Potential Adjunctive Therapy in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Regenerative Medicine
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) leads to severe long-term neurological deficits.
• Current treatments for SAH sequelae are limited.
• Stem cell therapy is being explored for various diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the potential benefits of stem cell therapy for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH).
• To synthesize evidence on stem cell efficacy in managing SAH consequences.

Main Methods:

• Literature search of PubMed, Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrials.gov for stem cell use in SAH.
• Inclusion of preclinical studies involving animal models of SAH.
• Data extraction and synthesis of stem cell therapy efficacy.

Main Results:

• Four preclinical studies with 181 animals (mice and rats) were reviewed.
• Hemorrhage models induced via endovascular punctures or blood injection.
• Mesenchymal stem cell therapy significantly promoted cell migration, reduced neural apoptosis and inflammation, improved cerebral tissue integrity, and enhanced sensorimotor function post-SAH.

Conclusions:

• Mesenchymal stem cells demonstrate significant cellular, morphological, and functional benefits in animal models of SAH.
• Further investigation is required to fully understand the therapeutic potential of stem cells for aSAH.