Stem cell in neurodegenerative disorders; an emerging strategy

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Regenerative Medicine
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's (AD), Parkinson's (PD), Huntington's (HD), and ALS, involve progressive nervous system deterioration.
• An aging global population intensifies the prevalence and societal impact of these conditions.
• Stem cell technology has emerged as a significant therapeutic avenue due to its regenerative capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the therapeutic potential of various stem cell types for neurodegenerative diseases.
• To summarize the current status and future prospects of stem cell strategies in treating AD, PD, HD, and ALS.
• To highlight the challenges and advancements in applying stem cell therapy to neurological disorders.

Main Methods:

• Review of preclinical studies on stem cell therapy for neurodegenerative diseases.
• Analysis of stem cell types including mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs), hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), neural progenitor/stem cells (NPCs/NSCs), and pluripotent stem cells (PSCs).
• Evaluation of stem cell differentiation and functional rescue capabilities in disease models.

Main Results:

• Preclinical models demonstrate that stem cell therapies can partially restore function in neurodegenerative disease models.
• Different stem cell types, including MSCs, HSCs, NPCs, and PSC-derived neurons, show therapeutic effects.
• Partial functional deficit rescue has been observed in various preclinical settings.

Conclusions:

• Stem cell therapy holds significant promise for treating neurodegenerative diseases.
• Despite progress, challenges remain in translating stem cell therapies from preclinical models to clinical application.
• Continued research into stem cell biology and application is crucial for advancing treatments for AD, PD, HD, and ALS.