Zeitschrift für Hirnforschung

Alzheimer Disease (AD) Cell Therapy Using Human Neural Stem Cells: Validity of the Approach

Abstract

Ashok Chakraborty and Anil Diwan

Background: Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is an increasing neurodegenerative disease in the world where dementia is the symptoms caused due to the death of functional neural cells; and could end up even to death. No real medicines or any therapeutic regiment, other than some palliatives, are available even to date.

Prevalence: Approximately 5.5 million people in the United States and 47 million people worldwide are currently affected by AD. It is expected that by 2050, nearly a million new cases per year may develop.

Symptoms: Memory loss is usually the first sign of Alzheimer's disease which is different than normal memory problems, being it as an irreversible.

Causes: In healthy neurons, tau protein normally binds to and stabilizes microtubules, which help normal neuronal functions for transporting neurotransmitters, nutrient, and also communication with other neural cells. However, loss of neurons and synapses can happen due to the accumulation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tau tangles. Therapeutic approach: Here we will be revealing the scope of human neural stem cells (hNSCs) to be used for cell replacement therapy of AD. Further, modification of NSCs with melanocytes, a neural crest originated DOPA producing cells, whether and how could be possible to upgrade the NSCs for the purposes.