Stem cells and neurological diseases

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Stem cells and neurological diseases.

Orlacchio A, Bernardi G, Orlacchio A, o S.

Laboratorio di Neurogenetica, Centro Europeo di Ricerca sul Cervello (CERC) -

Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Santa Lucia, Rome

00143, Italy and the Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Università di Roma " Tor

Vergata " Viale Oxford 81, Rome 00133, Italy.

Abstract

The discovery of the therapeutic potential of stem cells offers new

opportunities for the treatment of incurable neurological diseases. Based on

their biological properties, stem cells act as manufacturers, maintaining the

cellular tissue/organ homeostasis in physiological and pathological conditions.

Thus, stem cell replacement therapy for central and peripheral nervous system

disorders aims at repopulating the affected neural tissue with new neurons, as

well as with other neural cells.

In this review, we will report on investigations that are raising the promise

and the understanding of the challenges behind translating stem cell biology

into a novel clinical therapeutic potential for central and peripheral nervous

system diseases.