Hanyang Medical Reviews  2012;32(3):141-144

doi:10.7599/hmr.2012.32.3.141

Recent Trends and Strategies in Stem Cell Therapy for Alzheimer's Disease.

Jong Wook CHANG 1

Affiliations

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Keywords

Alzheimer Disease; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Paracrine

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

The human mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) has been regarded as a fascinating candidate of stem cell therapy in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer disease (AD). Recently, many groups reported that mesenchymal stem cell is a robust source, not only of regeneration, but also of secretion of various soluble factors for damaged or lost host cells. Several groups have observed paracrine action of mesenchymal stem cells in transgenic mice models of AD. From non-clinical studies we can conclude that human mesenchymal stem cells could participate in anti-apoptosis, beta-amyloid removal, anti-inflammation and anti-tau aggregation via paracrine action. Based on these findings, several clinical trials have been performed or completed worldwide. Since safety and efficacy have been confirmed from various non-clinical and clinical trials, we can expect emerging use of stem cells for AD in the near future.