Researcher:
Dr. Fabiano de Abreu – Dr. Fabiano de Abreu Agrela Rodrigues, is a Postdoctoral and PhD in neurosciences elected member of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society and Member of the Society for Neuroscience (USA) and APA – American Philosophical Association, Master in Psychology, Degree in Biology and History; also a Technologist in Anthropology and philosophy with various national and international training in Neuroscience and Neuropsychology. Researcher and specialist in Nutrigenetics and Genomics. He is director of the Heráclito Research and Analysis Center (CPAH), Scientist at the Martin Dockweiler University Hospital, Head of the Department of Science and Technology at Logos University International, Active member of Redilat, partner member of APBE – Portuguese Association of Evolutionary Biology and SPCE – Portuguese Society of Educational Sciences. Member of the high IQ societies Mensa, Intertel, ISPE High IQ Society and Triple Nine Society. Author of more than 200 scientific articles and 15 books.
Summary
This abstract investigates the application of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in the study of mental illness. Derived from somatic cells such as those in the skin, iPSCs are reprogrammed to a pluripotent state, enabling differentiation into a range of neural cells. This procedure inaugurates new methods for modeling psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, in the unique genetic context of each patient. We discuss the relevance of oligodendrogenesis and the modulation of calcium signals in neural cells, crucial factors for understanding and treating mental disorders. Such iPSC-based models represent a pioneering platform for developing individualized therapeutic strategies and testing drugs, reflecting a substantial advancement in biomedical research and the management of neuropsychiatric diseases.
Introduction
Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology has sparked a new era in understanding and treating mental illness. Originating from somatic cells, such as skin cells, through reprogramming, iPSCs provide a robust and unique model to investigate the pathological mechanisms of psychiatric disorders at the cellular and molecular level. This introduction establishes the context, importance and objectives of employing iPSCs in mental illness research, highlighting their fundamental role in disease modeling, drug discovery and development of personalized therapies. Advances in neurogenesis and oligodendrogenesis, as well as the understanding of calcium signaling in neural cells, are explored to both unlock the mysteries of neuropsychiatric diseases and pave the way for innovative and personalized therapeutic approaches.
Literature review
Stem cell therapy for mental disorders represents an evolving field, full of recent discoveries and imminent challenges:
1. Therapeutic Potential and Mechanisms: Stem cell therapy shows promise for serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Modulation of specific cell populations, including oligodendrogenesis, can enhance cognitive and social functions. Calcium signaling plays a fundamental role in regulating the proliferation, migration and differentiation of neural/glial progenitor cells, relevant in neuropsychiatric diseases (Zhang et al., 2020).
2. Use in Modeling Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Human iPSCs provide a platform for modeling genetic contributions to mental disorders and allow access to patient-specific cells for drug discovery and personalized medicine, applicable to common conditions in psychiatry such as depression, anxiety disorders , bipolar disorder and schizophrenia (Soliman et al., 2017).
3. Clinical Challenges and Future Steps: Before advancing to clinical trials, it is crucial to better understand how to control the proliferation and differentiation of stem cells into specific cell types and optimize functional recovery in animal models analogous to human diseases (Lindvall & Kokaia, 2006).
4. Stem Cell Therapy in Neurodegenerative Disorders: Stem cell therapy in neurodegenerative disorders, aimed at replacing damaged neuronal and glial cells, suggests biological and functional restoration, with progress in research in both basic and preclinical settings , driving the development of stem cell-based therapies for neurological diseases (Kim & de Vellis, 2009).
Discussion
The integration of iPSCs in the study of mental illnesses represents a significant advance in biomedicine, proposing a new perspective in neuropsychiatric research. iPSCs make it possible to model the complex etiology of mental disorders in a patient-specific genetic landscape, offering deep insights into their development and neural cell functionality. However, technical challenges, such as cell differentiation and maturation, in addition to phenotypic variability, require consideration when interpreting results. iPSCs for screening and drug development open new therapeutic avenues, but the transition to effective clinical treatments requires a multidisciplinary and integrated approach.
Final considerations
In conclusion, the use of iPSCs in mental illness research is shaping a revolution in biomedicine, linking genetic and clinical research, and offering innovative cellular models for complex disorders. Despite the challenges, iPSCs have the potential to transform the research and treatment of mental illness, promising advances that could lead to more precise and effective interventions in the future of neuropsychiatry.
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