Stem cells in neurology - current perspectives

Abstract

Central nervous system (CNS) restoration is an important clinical challenge and stem cell transplantation has been considered a promising therapeutic option for many neurological diseases. Objective: The present review aims to briefly describe stem cell biology, as well as to outline the clinical application of stem cells in the treatment of diseases of the CNS. Method: Literature review of animal and human clinical experimental trials, using the following key words: "stem cell", "neurogenesis", "Parkinson", "Huntington", "amyotrophic lateral sclerosis", "traumatic brain injury", "spinal cord injury", "ischemic stroke", and "demyelinating diseases". Conclusion: Major recent advances in stem cell research have brought us several steps closer to their effective clinical application, which aims to develop efficient ways of regenerating the damaged CNS.Keywords: stem cell, neurogenesis, neurological diseases, stem cell therapy. RESUMORestauração do sistema nervoso central (SNC) é um importante desafio clínico e o transplante de células-tronco tem sido considerado uma opção terapêutica promissora para muitas doenças neurológicas. Objetivo: O presente trabalho tem como objetivo descrever brevemente a biologia das células-tronco, assim como sua aplicação clínica no tratamento de doenças do SNC. Método: Revisão da literatura de experimentação

Adult stem cells in neural repair: Current options, limitations and perspectives

“…Neural stem cells were first described by Altman in 1960 and have the potential to differentiate into any cell type in the central nervous system [42][43][44][45] . It is known that adult neurogenesis occurs in two brain regions, the subventricular and subgranular zones of the dentate gyrus, and the spinal cord [45] .…”

“…It is known that adult neurogenesis occurs in two brain regions, the subventricular and subgranular zones of the dentate gyrus, and the spinal cord [45] . Neural stem cells have been used to treat several neurologic conditions such as spinal cord injury, ALS, Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury, Huntington' at large.…”

“…Several investigators have questioned the behavior of transplanted cells and several transplantation strategies have been tested, including co-transplantation with other stem cell types, T cells or neurospheres. Nevertheless, much work needs to be done in order to better comprehend how neural stem cells interact with the host tissue [45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52] . Clinical trials have not shown statistically significant results, Moviglia et al [47] transplanted neural stem cells in seven patients with ALS and only in five patients were observed motor improvements.…”

Advances in diagnosis, treatments, and molecular mechanistic studies of traumatic brain injury

“…However, recovery depends on the injured area where stem cells are implanted (91). After stem cells are implanted into the hippocampus, for example, these implanted cells are more apt to survive than when they are implanted into various areas of the neocortex.…”

Human Embryonic Stem Cells in the Treatment of Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury

“…Now-a-days, stem cell therapy is being explored for the treatment of TBI [11][12][13] given to the pluripotent nature and high potential of regeneration of these cells. Here, we report the safety and efficacy of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) therapy in two patients with TBI.…”