Human embryonic stem cells: an experimental and therapeutic resource for neurological disease

Abstract

There is a great and unmet need for meaningful therapies that will deliver restorative solutions to patients with neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease and stroke. The emergence of human embryonic stem cells as an experimental and therapeutic resource represents a major opportunity for brain repair. Embryonic stem cells offer the potential to study human cells, model disease, accelerate drug discovery and of themselves act as a cell-based therapy. In contrast to other organs, a "one size fits all" approach is inappropriate for repair of the brain; rather therapies need to be "bespoke". The design and development of embryonic stem-cell based CNS reparative strategies pose many challenges, both conceptual and practical. Using multiple sclerosis as an example, this paper addresses the needs for the translation of embryonic stem cell biology to regenerative neurology.