Stem cell treatment for Alzheimer's disease

Int J Mol Sci. 2014 Oct 23;15(10):19226-38. doi: 10.3390/ijms151019226.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive and neurodegenerative disorder that induces dementia in older people. It was first reported in 1907 by Alois Alzheimer, who characterized the disease as causing memory loss and cognitive impairment. Pathologic characteristics of AD are β-amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles and neurodegeneration. Current therapies only target the relief of symptoms using various drugs, and do not cure the disease. Recently, stem cell therapy has been shown to be a potential approach to various diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders, and in this review, we focus on stem cell therapies for AD.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism
  • Alzheimer Disease / therapy*
  • Animals
  • Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy / methods
  • Humans
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / metabolism
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / therapy*
  • Plaque, Amyloid / metabolism
  • Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Stem Cells / physiology*