Alzheimer’s Disease: Stem Cells as Promising Future
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative condition affecting over 50 million people globally, marked by cognitive decline and memory loss. Its pathological presentations include the accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) protein, neurofibrillary tangles composed of hyperphosphorylated tau, and neuroinflammation. While considerable effort has been made to identify strategies to reduce accumulation and facilitate clearance of these pathological presentations, existing solutions remain palliative. Stem cells are pluripotent cells characterized by their capacity for self-renewal and the potential to differentiate into various specialized cell types, including neurons and glial cells. In addition to the nanoparticle drug delivery, which has gained traction, stem cells, specifically neural stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells, have been shown to provide promising results in AD mouse models by promoting neurogenesis, modulating the neuroinflammatory environment, and secreting neurotrophic factors such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), thereby slowing down the progression through a bystander effect. Although no treatment options have been approved, reported successes in other diseases, such as leukemia, certain lymphomas, and bone marrow disorders, as well as ongoing progress in treating spinal cord injuries, continue to motivate the applicability of these approaches to AD and, subsequently, other neurodegenerative diseases. This review highlights current research and nuances on the use of stem cells to explore ameliorative treatments for brain degeneration and memory loss caused by AD and thus identifies opportunities for improvement as this field of research progresses.