NERVOUS SYSTEM
BRAIN
Neural stem cells are able to treat brain-related injuries and disorders, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Nerve damage and deregeneration are the causes of most brain diseases, so neural stem cells can be used to replace the old neurons to improve patients' conditions. The stem cells could also turn on the body's own stem cells and repair mechanisms of the brain. Patients may be able to regain many of their abilities that were lost due to brain disease. While cures for brain disease have not yet been found, neural stem cell treatment may become a possibility in the future.
SPINAL CORD
Spinal cord injuries usually involve the destruction of nerve cells and the formation of new scar tissue. Transplantation of stem cells can replace the destroyed cells and aid in the healing of the injury by producing myelin. The stem cells can also protect cells at the injury site and stimulate the regrowth of damaged cells. Because spinal cord injuries are so complex, with damage to all different types of cells, stem cells are able to effectively treat the injury since they can differentiate into a variety of cells. Human embryonic stem cells inserted into paralyzed rats with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) were able to restore nerves and improve mobility in the rodents. Before treatment, they could barely move, and 3 months after treatment, the rats were able to move their limbs and attempt to walk.