title: Effects of stem cell transplantation on cognitive decline in animal models of Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: Alzheimer's disease (AD), an irreversible progressive neurodegenerative disease, causes characteristic cognitive impairment, and no curative treatments are currently available. Stem cell transplantation offers a powerful tool for the treatment of AD. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of data from controlled studies to study the impact of stem cell biology and experimental design on learning and memory function following stem cell transplantation in animal models of AD. A total of 58 eligible controlled studies were included by searching PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science up to April 13, 2015. Meta-analysis showed that stem cell transplantation could promote both learning and memory recovery. Stratified meta-analysis was used to explore the influence of the potential factors on the estimated effect size, and meta-regression analyses were undertaken to explore the sources of heterogeneity for learning and memory function. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots and Egger's test. The present review reinforces the evidence supporting stem cell transplantation in experimental AD. However, it highlights areas that require well-designed and well-reported animal studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Zhe
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Weijun
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.affiliation: Institute of Integrated Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Chunhu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Chenxia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Integrated Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Integrated Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Rong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fan
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000818:Animals; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*