Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and stem cell therapy

Stem Cell Res Ther. 2017 May 12;8(1):111. doi: 10.1186/s13287-017-0567-5.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) represents arguably the most significant social, economic, and medical crisis of our time. Characterized by progressive neurodegenerative pathology, AD is first and foremost a condition of neuronal and synaptic loss. Repopulation and regeneration of depleted neuronal circuitry by exogenous stem cells is therefore a rational therapeutic strategy. This review will focus on recent advances in stem cell therapies utilizing animal models of AD, as well as detailing the human clinical trials of stem cell therapies for AD that are currently undergoing development.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; Embryonic stem cells; Induced pluripotent stem cells; Mesenchymal stem cells; Neural stem cells.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / therapy*
  • Animals
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Humans
  • Neurogenesis
  • Stem Cell Transplantation / adverse effects
  • Stem Cell Transplantation / methods*
  • Stem Cells / classification
  • Stem Cells / cytology