Neural stem cells: a pharmacological tool for brain diseases?
Stem cells are believed to provide a tool by which new cells and tissues can be made and by which damaged ones can be replaced or repaired. Over the past few years, the existence of a subset of stem cells has been documented in the fetal brain, therefore named neural stem cells (NSCs). To this regard, the more recent demonstration that similar cells are present in the adult mammalian brain and retain the capability to produce new neurons, has undermined the dogma that neurons are only generated during the fetal life and has stimulated investigations into the regulation and role of adult neurogenesis. Here, we will review the recent advancements on the biology of brain stem cells and discuss the mechanisms and drugs regulating adult neurogenesis, aiming at better estimating the possible future applications of NSCs for brain repair.
Conti
Luciano
L
Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milano, Italy. luciano.conti@unimi.it
Cataudella
Tiziana
T
Cattaneo
Elena
E
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*