STIMULATION AND RECRUITMENT OF HIPPOCAMPUS NEURAL STEM CELLS AS A NOVEL AND EFFICIENT THERAPEUTIC STRATEGY IN THE TREATMENT OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE: A REVIEW STUDY

The promotion of Alzheimer’s disease contributes to the brain cell (neuron) death
and synaptic dysfunction in the hippocampus. These changes continue with the neural tissue
degeneration and behavioral deficits such as learning disabilities, memory loss, and cognitive
impairment which coincided with the reduction of neurogenesis. As a matter of fact, applying novel
therapeutic strategies have focused on neural stem cell therapies. Due to the short-time survival rate,
lack of transplantation efficiency and differentiation capacity, the use of suitable microenvironment is
mandatory in order to stimulate dynamic growth of neural stem cells and regeneration rate.
Materials & Methods: In the present study, articles indexed in PubMed, ISI, and Scopus databases about
the application of neural stem cells in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease were
reviewed. Besides, different approaches to activate and increase the recruitment of neural stem cells via
mesenchymal stem cells, growth factors, scaffolds and extracellular matrix were described in the context
of neuro-regeneration.
Results: Several studies revealed that mesenchymal stem cells stimulated proliferation, recruitment, and
neural differentiation of neural stem cells and improved synaptic plasticity by the production of
neurotrophic factors, chemokine, and extracellular matrix. In addition, mesenchymal stem cells
decreased the apoptosis phenomenon and increased cell viability via the secretion of anti-inflammatory
and anti-apoptotic factors. It has been shown that the fabrication of scaffolds from natural biomaterials
provides suitable and biocompatible artificial microenvironments that are comparable to the naïve brain
extracellular matrix with the potential to promote cell migration and differentiation. These approaches
could alleviate the neural tissue degeneration and diminish the cognitive impairment.
Conclusion The stimulation of endogenous neural stem cells recruitment using mesenchymal stem cells
and different cell-related products, extracellular matrix, natural and artificial materials could protect the
individuals against Alzheimer’s disease and reduce the progression of neurodegeneration, and
restoration of behavioral deficits.