Elsevier

Neurotherapeutics

Volume 8, Issue 4, October 2011, Pages 591-606
Neurotherapeutics

Article
Stem Cell Transplantation for Motor Neuron Disease: Current Approaches and Future Perspectives

https://doi.org/10.1007/s13311-011-0068-7Get rights and content
Under a Creative Commons license
open access

Abstract

Motor neuron degeneration leading to muscle atrophy and death is a pathological hallmark of disorders, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or spinal muscular atrophy. No effective treatment is available for these devastating diseases. At present, cell-based therapies targeting motor neuron replacement, support, or as a vehicle for the delivery of neuroprotective molecules are being investigated. Although many challenges and questions remain, the beneficial effects observed following transplantation therapy in animal models of motor neuron disease has sparked hope and a number of clinical trials. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of cell-based therapeutics for motor neuron disorders, with a particular emphasis on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Keywords

Motor neuron
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Spinal muscular atrophy
Growth factors
Neural stem cell
Transplantation

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