Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 7, 2026
08:27
Evaluation of Motor Impairment in C. elegans Models of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Published on: September 2, 2021
4.8K
Stem cell transplantation for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Robert H Baloh1,2, Jonathan D Glass3, Clive N Svendsen2
1Department of Neurology, Center for Neural Science and Medicine.
Current Opinion in Neurology
|August 7, 2018
Summary
Stem cell transplantation shows promise for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) treatment. Recent trials confirm safety and tolerability, paving the way for efficacy studies in ALS patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Regenerative Medicine
- Stem Cell Biology
Background:
- Stem cells offer therapeutic potential for neurodegenerative diseases by replacing lost cells or enhancing survival.
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research is exploring cell transplantation for neuroprotection.
- Current ALS cell therapy strategies focus on supporting existing motor neurons rather than circuit reconstruction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in stem cell transplantation therapies for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
- To analyze the safety and feasibility of various cell transplantation approaches in ALS.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent clinical trials and pilot studies involving stem cell transplantation in ALS patients.
- Analysis of different cell types (mesenchymal stem cells, regulatory T-cells, neural progenitor cells) and delivery methods (intrathecal, direct surgical).
Main Results:
- Intrathecal injection of autologous mesenchymal stem cells demonstrated safety and transiently increased growth factors and anti-inflammatory cytokines.
- Pilot studies confirmed the safety of autologous regulatory T-cell transplantation for immunomodulation.
- Early phase trials showed safety for direct spinal cord transplantation of fetal-derived neural progenitor cells for trophic support.
Conclusions:
- Stem cell transplantation is safe and well-tolerated in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
- The field is ready for pivotal controlled trials to assess the efficacy of stem cell therapies in ALS.
More Related Videos
07:00Eye-Tracking Control to Assess Cognitive Functions in Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Published on: October 13, 2016
8.7K
10:49Intraspinal Cell Transplantation for Targeting Cervical Ventral Horn in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury
Published on: September 18, 2011
21.2K
Related Concept Videos
01:13Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
28.1K
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...
28.1K
01:33Adult Stem Cells
33.9K
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce more stem cells or progenitor cells that differentiate into mature, specialized cell types. All the cells in the body are generated from stem cells in the early embryo, but small populations of stem cells are also present in many adult tissues including the bone marrow, brain, skin, and gut. These adult stem cells typically produce the various cell types found in that tissue—to replace cells that are damaged or to continuously...
33.9K
00:58Embryonic Stem Cells
32.5K
Embryonic stem (ES) cells are undifferentiated pluripotent cells, meaning they can produce any cell type in the body. This gives them tremendous potential in science and medicine since they can generate specific cell types for use in research or to replace body cells lost due to damage or disease.
32.5K
00:57Embryonic Stem Cells
5.1K
Embryonic stem (ES) cells were first discovered in mice in 1981 by Martin Evans. In 1998, James Thomson identified a method to isolate embryonic stem cells from humans. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are obtained from 3-5 day old embryos that remain unused after an in vitro fertilization procedure.
ES cells are grown in a culture medium where they can divide indefinitely, creating ES cell lines. Under certain conditions, ES cells can differentiate, either spontaneously into a variety of...
ES cells are grown in a culture medium where they can divide indefinitely, creating ES cell lines. Under certain conditions, ES cells can differentiate, either spontaneously into a variety of...
5.1K
01:28Lateralization
1.1K
Brain lateralization refers to the division of mental processes and functions between the two hemispheres of the brain, a phenomenon that optimizes neural efficiency and underpins complex abilities in humans. This specialization allows each hemisphere to perform tasks where it has a comparative advantage, facilitating more refined cognitive capabilities across different domains.
1.1K
01:18Distinctive Features of Adult Stem Cells vs Cancer Stem Cells
4.5K
A stem cell is an unspecialized cell that can divide without limit as needed and can, under specific conditions, differentiate into specialized cells.
Adult stem cells
Adult stem cells are tissue-specific; hence, they divide to develop the tissue from which they originate. One type of adult stem cell is the epithelial stem cell, which gives rise to the keratinocytes in the multiple layers of epithelial cells in the epidermis of the skin. Adult bone marrow has three distinct types of stem cells:...
Adult stem cells
Adult stem cells are tissue-specific; hence, they divide to develop the tissue from which they originate. One type of adult stem cell is the epithelial stem cell, which gives rise to the keratinocytes in the multiple layers of epithelial cells in the epidermis of the skin. Adult bone marrow has three distinct types of stem cells:...
4.5K