Restoring neuronal function after stroke by cell replacement: anatomic and functional considerations

Abstract

Background and purpose: A major challenge to effective treatment after stroke is the restoration of neuronal function. In recent years, cell-based therapies for stroke have been explored in experimental animal models, and the results have suggested behavioral improvements. However, the anatomic targets of a cell-based stroke therapy and the relationship of cell grafts to post stroke reorganization are poorly understood, which results in difficulties defining strategies for neuronal substitution. Given that stroke causes a variety of secondary changes at locations beyond the infarct lesion, overcoming these difficulties is even more important.

Summary of review: We describe which brain structures and cell types are candidates for substitution and how new neuronal functionality could be implemented in a damaged brain by capitalizing on current concepts of post stroke plasticity.