Stem Cell Therapy Research Brings Hope to Cure Alzheimer's by Cynthia Purtell

Stem Cell Therapy Research Brings Hope to Cure Alzheimer's

Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death in America. Data from 2000 to 2015 elicits that deaths from heart disease have decreased by 11% while that from Alzheimer's have increased by 123%. Looking at the data suggests that a cure or a remedy is needed to slow down the effects of Alzheimer's. New hope was given by Nature Scientific Reports when they published the research of neurologist Dr. Eva Feldman which states that implantation of neural stem cells into the brains of mouse models displayed improved recognition and spatial memory, along with learning. Funding for research: Still, the clinical trials of the research are 3 to 5 years away, but the use of stem cells in AD model mice provided Feldman’s lab a $3 million grant from the National Institute on Aging so that they can continue their work without any financial constraints. Advocates and lawmakers are also being educated with the help of volunteers to prioritize research funding. Such contributive efforts from lawmakers helped the research which provided them with $425 million in the span of 5 years. Currently, there is no known cure for Alzheimer’s disease, the National Institute on Aging responds that ongoing treatments are focusing on maintaining, managing, or slowing disease symptoms. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------“According to the Alzheimer’s Association, in the U.S. alone more than 5.7 million people live with the Alzheimer’s disease which cost them about $277 billion a year.” -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------© Regen USA, All Rights Reserved.

Technology and lifestyle: In recent years with the help of several technological breakthroughs such as more advanced brain imaging allows the neurologists to analyze the brain activities. It also provides them to keep a note on two proteins namely amyloid and tau which is responsible for this disease. The Alzheimer’s Association is also supporting studies that investigate prevention and lifestyle which includes exercise, diet, and social activities. While most drug therapies have minimal effect, currently stem cells can work like a charm in many ways. The association is also excited about the research that is carried out by Feldman’s lab involving stem cells as it is showing hope and promise. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------“The Alzheimer’s Association considers this disease a crisis as over 14 million are projected to be afflicted with this brain disease with the oncoming silver tsunami by the year 2050 that can have a cost reaching over $1 trillion.” -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Experiment on animals: When stem cells were injected into the hippocampus of the animals, showed improvements in various types of memory. After four weeks, stem cell transplants improved short-term recognition memory; and after 16 weeks, the animals showed improved spatial learning. Moreover, models receiving stem cell injections also displayed a reduction in amyloid plaques.

Director of UM's Michigan Alzheimer's Disease Center Henry Paulson suggests that these injections of stem cells are likely to be boosting an inflammatory response in the brain rather than replacing lost neurons, which is highly beneficial. Many researchers are interested in indenting the shell of brain-wasting diseases by boosting inflammatory pathways. Feldman’s work is a small step in learning which avenues may show the right direction to effective therapies. This intriguing study showcases that stem cell treatment may be beneficial by boosting a microglial response. Feldman’s lab future steps involve the utilization of their research on the small animal to show that it is safe to test on the larger animal which is the key to gain access to the door of clinical trials. Their work is still in a primary stage and it a long way to go to perform the therapy on humans, but it is a promising step in the right direction towards treatment for people who are suffering by this devastating disease. As mentioned earlier that stem cell treatment in the USA for Alzheimer’s is still far-fetched, but stem cells are beneficial in treating sciatica, hair loss, autoimmune diseases, etc. If you are suffering from such conditions, then you can visit Regen America. They have an expert panel of doctors who are specialized in stem cell treatment in the USA that can help you in treating your ailment without any hassle.