American researchers are embarking on a “world-first” trial which will attempt to use mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. They are testing stem cells’ ability to improve cognitive function in patients with the disease.

The trial, performed by the Miami Miller School of Medicine, will use approximately 30 test subjects who have the disease. Researchers will test the cognitive function, memory and brain volume of the subjects for a year.

Researchers will initially be testing stem cells to see if they are safe for treating Alzheimer’s disease. Once they have demonstrated the treatment is safe and effective, they will be able to move to phase II trials with more subjects.

MSCs have anti-inflammatory properties and can transform into a variety of other cell types, including brain cells. Researchers suspect MSCs can create new brain cells in the hippocampus — the section of the brain where Alzheimer’s disease begins.

According to one of the researchers in the team, Dr. Bernard Baumel, “MSCs are anti-inflammatory and they promote indigenous stem cells in your body to proliferate. They stimulate cell growth and have a lot of attributes that are very advantageous for using them in humans.”

The researchers will be testing stem cells to see how well they migrate to the source of injury caused by Alzheimer’s. The results from animal testing on mice have been very positive with a reduction in brain plaques and tangles associated with Alzheimer’s disease. The mice also seemed to perform better in maze tests, which indicate an improvement in brain function.

This is the first time MSCs have been used in this way and researchers are very hopeful that it will lead to a treatment for this debilitating disease. Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases in the world, affecting millions of people worldwide.

Source: Testing Stem Cells to Treat Alzheimer’s in First-of-its-kind Trial

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