Using Patient-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells to Model and Treat Epilepsies

Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2015 Oct;15(10):71. doi: 10.1007/s11910-015-0588-3.

Abstract

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are transforming the fields of disease modeling and precision therapy. For the treatment of neurological disorders, iPSCs introduce the possibility for targeted cell-based therapies by deriving patient-specific neural tissue in vitro that may ultimately be used for transplantation. We review iPSC technologies and their applications that have already advanced our understanding of neurological disorders, focusing on the epilepsies. We also discuss the application of powerful new tools such as genome editing and multi-well, multi-electrode array recording platforms to iPSC disease modeling and therapy development for the epilepsies. Despite some limitations, the field of iPSCs is evolving rapidly and is quickly becoming vital for understanding mechanisms of genetic epilepsies and for future patient-specific therapeutic applications.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy
  • Epilepsy / therapy*
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Genetic Therapy
  • Humans
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells*
  • Neural Stem Cells