How Close Are We to Reversing Alzheimer’s with Stem Cell Therapy?
Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that causes memory loss and confusion, and it’s the most common type of dementia. Right now, there is no way to prevent or cure it. However, in recent years, scientists have been looking at stem cell therapy as a hopeful treatment for Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a brain disorder that causes the loss of nerve cells and connections, mainly in areas that control memory and thinking. This disease is marked by two main problems in the brain: neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques, which can be seen in the brains of people with AD. As these issues worsen, parts of the brain shrink, especially areas like the temporal lobe, parietal lobe, and frontal cortex.
People with Alzheimer’s often experience symptoms that can be confused with normal aging or stress.
The National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke (NINCDS) has guidelines for diagnosing AD, which include problems with memory, language, and understanding. In the early stages, a common symptom is difficulty remembering new information, like recent events. When doctors think someone might have AD, they usually confirm it through tests and sometimes brain scans.
While there are treatments for specific symptoms of Alzheimer’s, effective treatments that can change the disease itself are still being studied. This article looks at recent research on using stem cells as a potential treatment for AD, from lab experiments to testing in people.
STEM CELL STRATEGY
Right now, there is no proven cure for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The available medications can only temporarily improve symptoms like memory and thinking skills, but they cannot reverse or slow down the disease. Other treatments, like gene therapy and behavioral changes, can also help for a short time but do not stop the disease from getting worse.
In recent years, scientists have discovered that the adult brain can create new nerve cells in certain areas. This process, called neurogenesis, happens in parts of the brain like the subventricular zone, olfactory bulb, and hippocampus. The presence of special cells called neural stem cells (NSCs) suggests that we might be able to use these cells to help treat brain diseases.
Researchers have developed various animal models to study Alzheimer’s and how stem cells react in the brain’s unhealthy environment. They found that the creation of new nerve cells is often damaged in Alzheimer’s models.
Recent studies offer hope for using stem cells to replace lost nerve cells in Alzheimer’s patients. Because stem cells can be changed in the lab and can move easily when transplanted into the brain, they might be a powerful way to deliver helpful proteins or improve gene activity to change how the disease progresses.
Research on Mice
Studies show that stem cells from umbilical cord blood and tissue can help reduce inflammation, which is crucial for managing Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Bernard S. Baumel, a professor of neurology, believes that infusing these stem cells could potentially benefit people suffering from Alzheimer’s.
In a 2015 experiment, scientists infused umbilical cord blood into 23 mice with Alzheimer’s. The results were promising: the treated mice demonstrated improvements in learning, memory, and movement, along with a significant decrease in harmful deposits in their brains compared to the untreated mice. This study built on earlier research from 2001, which indicated that umbilical cord blood could extend the lifespan of mice with the disease.
Another investigation focused on stem cells from umbilical cord tissue and found that they could also lessen harmful brain deposits, leading to reduced stress and cell death in the affected mice.
Research on Humans
Despite the encouraging results seen in mice, translating these findings to humans remains a challenge. In a 2017 clinical trial involving nine patients, stem cells derived from cord blood were administered, but after two years, there was no noticeable improvement in their memory or cognitive abilities.
Still, researchers are optimistic. In 2018, scientists successfully stimulated the growth of nerve cells that are vital for memory from cord tissue stem cells in the lab. This advancement is significant because the loss of these specific nerve cells is linked to memory decline in Alzheimer’s patients. Such research continues to inspire hope for future treatments that may assist those living with Alzheimer’s disease.
A new clinical trial at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine is looking for participants to test the use of stem cells from cord tissue to treat Alzheimer’s disease. This trial is for individuals with mild symptoms of Alzheimer’s who are otherwise healthy. Researchers will monitor changes in participants’ thinking abilities, quality of life, and brain size to see how effective this treatment might be.
Another study in California and Hawaii is also recruiting participants to use stem cells from cord tissue for Alzheimer’s treatment.
In Seoul, South Korea, the Samsung Medical Center is seeking 45 patients to receive infusions of cord blood stem cells to help with their Alzheimer’s.
Additionally, two studies are not currently recruiting but are assessing the safety and effectiveness of using stem cells from cord tissue to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer’s.
The future of stem cell research looks very promising, especially in the context of treating diseases like Alzheimer’s. Here are some key points that highlight its potential:
- Innovative Treatments: Stem cells offer the possibility of developing new therapies that could not only alleviate symptoms but potentially modify or reverse disease processes, especially in neurodegenerative conditions.
- Regenerative Medicine: Stem cells can repair or replace damaged tissues and organs, which opens the door for treating a wide range of conditions, from spinal cord injuries to heart disease.
- Personalized Medicine: Advances in stem cell technology may lead to treatments tailored to individual patients, increasing the effectiveness of therapies and reducing side effects.
- Research Advancements: Ongoing research continues to improve our understanding of how stem cells work and how they can be effectively used in therapies. This could lead to breakthroughs in treating not just Alzheimer’s, but many other conditions.
- Ethical Considerations: As research progresses, it will be important to navigate the ethical implications surrounding stem cell use, particularly in relation to sourcing and consent.
- Clinical Trials: The increasing number of clinical trials focusing on stem cell therapies indicates a growing commitment to exploring their potential, which is a positive sign for future developments.
Overall, if the challenges surrounding efficacy, safety, and ethics can be addressed, stem cells could play a transformative role in medicine in the coming years.
Feeling Good At Any Age- The One-Stop Rejuvenation Center
Experience Wellness and Rejuvenation at Every Stage of Life — Welcome to the FGAAA Clinic, your ultimate destination for revitalization and health enhancement.
New Breed of Homo Sapiens: Lourdes Duque Baron
Get ready to be inspired by the incredible story of Lourdes Duque Baron, a fearless advocate for the revolutionary field of stem cell therapy. With relentless determination, she has worked tirelessly to highlight the amazing benefits of this advanced medical treatment. But there’s more to her story: Lourdes personally experienced the transformative power of mesenchymal stem cells, which helped her overcome osteoporosis and reclaim her health.
Imagine a woman driven by her victory over a challenging condition. Lourdes Duque Baron embodies the remarkable potential of stem cell therapy, serving as a powerful example of its life-changing effects. Her journey is bound to captivate you, igniting a passion to explore the endless opportunities that this groundbreaking area of medicine has to offer.
References:
https://www.cryo-cell.com/treatments-and-research/alzheimers-disease