Editorial: Mechanistic underpinnings of stem cell therapy for neurological disorders

This special issue entitled "Mechanistic underpinnings of stem cell therapy for neurological disorders" brings together academicians, clinicians and industry partners with vested interest in the safe and effective translation of stem cell-based therapeutics from the laboratory to the clinic. Despite the scientific advances and limited clinical trials of stem cell therapy for neurological disorders, the mechanisms of action remain not fully understood. Here, we provide critical analyses of the therapeutic pathways postulated to mediate stem cell therapy. The views expressed here are based on scientific evidence, but also well-rationalized speculative hypotheses are encouraged in order to guide the field in exploiting the likely responsive pathways, as well as in exploring novel candidate targets which may open venues in optimizing the therapeutic effects of stem cell therapy. In the end, our goal is to coalesce the concerted efforts from stem cell researchers in probing the mechanistic triggers of cell-based treatments towards ensuring the safety and efficacy profiles of stem cell therapy.