Regenerative medicine has emerged as a promising area in the treatment of neurological and neurodegenerative diseases, which represent a significant challenge for public health due to their high morbidity and mortality (CARVALHO; RODRIGUES, 2022). The low regenerative capacity of the human brain worsens the situation, making the search for innovative therapies an urgent need. In this context, stem cells emerge as a powerful tool, with the potential to revolutionize the treatment of diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, stroke and head trauma, in addition to reversing the side effects of chemotherapy (CARVALHO; RODRIGUES, 2022 ).
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells, with the ability to self-renew and differentiate into different cell types. This versatility makes them ideal candidates to replace lost or damaged neurons, protect remaining neurons and promote neurological recovery (CARVALHO; RODRIGUES, 2022).
In the case of Parkinson’s disease, which is characterized by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons, the transplantation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has shown promising results in clinical trials, offering an alternative to fetal tissue therapy, which faces challenges such as low availability and ethical issues (CARVALHO; RODRIGUES, 2022).
For Alzheimer’s Disease, stem cells have also been shown to be effective in preclinical studies, both in pathology and cognitive function. The injection of mesenchymal stem cells derived from the umbilical cord directly into the brain has proven to be a safe and feasible procedure, despite the need to overcome the immune response (CARVALHO; RODRIGUES, 2022).
In the treatment of stroke, stem cell therapies have the potential to renew tissue damaged by ischemia, with local injection being more efficient than intravenous infusion. The challenge of immune rejection is being addressed with the use of biocompatible and biodegradable biomaterials (CARVALHO; RODRIGUES, 2022).
In cases of head trauma, the combination of stem cell therapies and anti-inflammatory medications has shown promise, reducing neuroinflammation and replacing damaged brain cells (CARVALHO; RODRIGUES, 2022).
Chemotherapy, although essential in the treatment of cancer, can cause cognitive dysfunction in some patients. Mesenchymal and neural stem cells have the potential to treat these mechanisms of neuronal dysfunction, offering hope for cancer survivors (CARVALHO; RODRIGUES, 2022).
Despite promising advances, stem cell therapy is still in development and requires further research to clarify its mechanisms of action, safety, and long-term efficacy. Ethical issues related to obtaining stem cells also need to be considered. However, the potential of stem cell regenerative medicine to transform the treatment of brain diseases is undeniable, paving the way for a promising future in healthcare. (CARVALHO; RODRIGUES, 2022)
Reference :
CARVALHO, Luiz Felipe; RODRIGUES, Fabiano de Abreu Agrela. Biomedical innovation in the city: strategies to boost stem cell research in brain regeneration. Public Policy & Cities Magazine, v. 11, no. 2, p. 1-10, 2022.
