Regenerative medicine in Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

Identifying novel, effective therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the major unmet medical needs for the coming decade. Because the current paradigm for developing and testing disease modifying AD therapies is protracted and likely to be even longer with the shift towards earlier intervention in pre-clinical AD, it is an open question whether we can develop, test, and widely deploy a novel therapy in time to help the current at-risk generation if we continue to follow the standard paradigms of discovery and drug development. There is an imperative need to find safe and effective preventative measures that can be rapidly deployed to stem the coming wave of AD that will potentially engulf the next generation. We can broadly define regenerative medicine as approaches that use stem-cell-based therapies or approaches that seek to modulate inherent neurogenesis. Neurogenesis, though most active during pre-natal development has been shown to continue in several small parts of the brain, which includes the hippocampus and the subventricular zone, suggesting its potential to reverse cognitive deficits. If AD pathology impacts neurogenesis then it follows that conditions that stimulate endogenous neurogenesis (e.g., environmental stimuli, physical activity, trophic factors, cytokines, and drugs) may help to promote the regenerative and recovery process. Herein, we review the complex logistics of potentially implementing neurogenesis-based therapeutic strategies for the treatment of AD.

Polysaccharides from Ganoderma lucidum Promote Cognitive Function and Neural Progenitor Proliferation in Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease

“…One potential therapeutic avenue is to promote neurogenesis by mobilizing endogenous neural progenitor cells (NPC) (Felsenstein et al., 2014, Lie et al., 2004, Miller and Kaplan, 2012). Neurogenesis in adult mammalian brains is essential for maintaining brain functions such as cognition and mood regulation (Zhao et al., 2008).…”

Nonviral Reprogramming Genes Accelerate Formation of Neurons from Murine Embryonic Brain Cells: Synergistic Effect of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor Gene Therapy

“…The reprogrammed stem cells present greatly promises to downstream clinical applications for restoring, maintaining, or enhancing tissue and organ function for neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease [1], Alzheimer's disease [35], multiple sclerosis [36], spinal cord injury [37], stroke [38], and possibly neuropsychiatric illnesses [4,26]. However, for real-world clinical transition there are concerns about technologies in quantities and quickness of neuron products, including differentiated progressive staging neuronal cells generated by reprogrammed stem cells, and potential cancer risks for viral vector carrying reprogramming genes.…”

Amary llidaceae Perspectives In Alzheimer´S Disease

“…After the age of 65 years, the risk of developing the disease doubles every five years, and some studies suggest that around 85 years, approximately 50% of individuals will develop the disease [3]. Worldwide, one new case occurs every seven seconds; the disease itself is becoming a slow pandemic [4] and by the year 2050 it is expected that one in 85 persons will be living with AD [5].…”