Neural stem cells and neurodegeneration

Curr Opin Investig Drugs. 2002 May;3(5):774-81.

Abstract

Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, are characterized by a continuous loss of specific populations of neurons. Possible regenerative interventions include transplanting developing neural tissue or neural stem cells into the host brain, and inducing proliferation of endogenous stem cells by pharmacological manipulations. Neural stem cells (NSC), with the capacity to self-renew and produce the major cell types of the brain, exist in the developing and adult central nervous system (CNS). These cells can be grown in vitro while retaining the potential to differentiate into nervous tissue. This review focuses on regenerative therapy in neurodegenerative diseases using NSC.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / cytology*
  • Brain / growth & development
  • Cell Culture Techniques
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Humans
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / pathology*
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / therapy
  • Regeneration
  • Stem Cell Transplantation / methods
  • Stem Cells / cytology*