Open AccessStem cell therapy for Alzheimer’s disease: An overview of experimental models and reality
Author(s) -
Qin Chuan,
Wang Kewei,
Zhang Ling,
Bai Lin
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
animal models and experimental medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2576-2095
DOI - 10.1002/ame2.12207
Subject(s) - neuropathology , neuroscience , stem cell , disease , stem cell therapy , transplantation , cognition , neural stem cell , psychology , medicine , pathology , biology , genetics
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder. The pathology of AD is characterized by extracellular amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques, neurofibrillary tangles composed of hyperphosphorylated tau, neuronal death, synapse loss, and brain atrophy. Many therapies have been tested to improve or at least effectively modify the course of AD. Meaningful data indicate that the transplantation of stem cells can alleviate neuropathology and significantly ameliorate cognitive deficits in animal models with Alzheimer's disease. Transplanted stem cells have shown their inherent advantages in improving cognitive impairment and memory dysfunction, although certain weaknesses or limitations need to be overcome. This review recapitulates rodent models for AD, the therapeutic efficacy of stem cells, influencing factors, and the underlying mechanisms behind these changes. Stem cell therapy provides perspective and challenges for its clinical application in the future.