FIGURE 14: Alzheimer's Disease is currently affection more than 5 million Americans! Stem Cell Research is one of the only options the patients possess to ease their illness (CITATION 26)
Repairment of the damage is a highly difficult process due to the difficulty of assurance of proper neuron bridge connections and insulation of newly replaced neurons with a myelin sheath coating. The signal enters the neuron through its dendrites and leaves through its axons. For a full recovery, a myelin sheath coating must be present in order to insure proper signal transmission. (CITATION 24)
One method of treating spinal cord trauma is through stem cell injections. The patient is injected with their own adult cells from their bone marrow or with stem cells from the umbilical cord directly into their spinal fluid. The patient would take 16 injections over a 4 week period. (CITATION 31)
Another method includes differentiating embryonic stem cells to transform into oligodendrocyte cells, which create the myelin sheath, essential for electrical conduction of the nerve signals. In spinal cord traumas, the myelin sheath is destroyed, and replacement will reverse paralysis and improve motor ability and skills in some cases. (CITATION 32)
Neurological Disorders
Alzheimer's Disease is a neurological disorder which affects the Central Nervous System, usually resulting in memory loss, loss of language, and loss of ability to recognize friends and family. (CITATION 24)
NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS: ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
Stem cells offer a possibility in curing a variety of neurologically related disorders, namely Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, and Spinal cord trauma.
ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE: THE STEM CELL TREATMENTS
ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE: THE AFFECTED REGIONS
The Central Nervous System consists of a cerebrum, the cerebellum, and the spinal cord. In addition, beneath the cerebrum, is located the hippocampus, which coordinates memory functions. This is where the Alzheimer's Disease begins... (CITATION 24)
Stem cells, differentiated into neurons, may be able to repair the damage caused by Alzheimer's Disease. (CITATION 24)
NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS: PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Parkinson's Disease is a neurodegenerative disease, which affects neurons in the area called the substantia nigra, located on top of the brain stem. Since the disease is restricted to one region of the brain, it has the potential for successful treatment. (CITATION 24)
PARKINSON'S DISEASE: THE STEM CELL CURE
Research has shown that stem cells may be isolated and stimulated to differentiate into dopaminergic neurons (the neurons affected by Parkinson's Disease). Mice experiments have proven that injection of stem cells into the brains of Parkinsonian mice relieves certain symptoms of the disease, including loss of motor control. (CITATION 24)
FIGURE 16: Parkinson's Disease affects 60,000 Americans annually. This devastating disease has become of the main targets of stem cell researchers. They are currently working on developing a special Stem Cell treatment in order to help ease the lives of millions of patients affected by this disease worldwide.
NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS: SPINAL CORD TRAUMA
Spinal Cord Traumas result in damage to the spinal cord acquired through automobile accidents or falls from high places. The severity of the damage is determines on the part of the spinal cord where damage occurred - closer to the brain means more damage is done. The consequences that follow may leave the person unable to move and function their legs and even arms and lungs!
SPINAL CORD TRAUMA: THE STEM CELL TREATMENTS
