Neuroprotection: The Emerging Concept of Restorative Neural Stem Cell Biology for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases

Fiorella      Piemonte; Ferdinando      Rossi; Barbara      Carletti

doi:10.2174/157015911795596603

Abstract

During the past decades Neural Stem Cells have been considered as an alternative source of cells to replace lost neurons and NSC transplantation has been indicated as a promising treatment for neurodegenerative disorders. Nevertheless, the current understanding of NSC biology suggests that, far from being mere spare parts for cell replacement therapies, NSCs could play a key role in the pharmacology of neuroprotection and become protagonists of innovative treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we review this new emerging concept of NSC biology.

Keywords: neurocytoprotective, degenerative processes, inflammationrelated processes, neurodegenerative diseases, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, neurotrophic factors, neuroprotection, neurodegenerative disorders, Neural stem cells