Stem cells improve memory for Alzheimers Disease - 19-Jul-2012

Preclinical data showed that human neural stem cells from Stem Cells Inc.restored and improved memory in animal models of Alzheimer's Disease without affecting amyloid beta or delta tau, two key proteins targeted by therapeutics in pharmaceutical development. The study results were presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Vancouver, Canada and represent the first time human neural stem cells have shown a significant effect on memory.

Research was conducted in collaboration with Dr Frank LaFerla, director of the University of California, Irvine's Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders. The human neural stem cells were transplanted in two animal models into the hippocampus, an important region of the brain in terms of memory control that is severely impacted by the pathology of Alzheimer's Disease. Dr Matthew Blurton-Jones, assistant professor of neurobiology and behaviour at UCI, presented the study results at the Alzheimer's Association conference.