Regenerative cellular therapies for neurologic diseases

Brain Res. 2016 May 1;1638(Pt A):88-96. doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2015.06.053. Epub 2015 Jul 31.

Abstract

The promise of stem cell regeneration has been the hope of many neurologic patients with permanent damage to the central nervous system. There are hundreds of stem cell trials worldwide intending to test the regenerative capacity of stem cells in various neurological conditions from Parkinson's disease to multiple sclerosis. Although no stem cell therapy is clinically approved for use in any human disease indication, patients are seeking out trials and asking clinicians for guidance. This review summarizes the current state of regenerative stem cell transplantation divided into seven conditions for which trials are currently active: demyelinating diseases/spinal cord injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, stroke, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, macular degeneration and peripheral nerve diseases. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI: PSC and the brain.

Keywords: Neurologic disease; Regeneration; Stem cell.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy / methods*
  • Humans
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / therapy*
  • Regenerative Medicine / methods
  • Stem Cell Transplantation / methods