Modern approaches in neuroprotection and surgery: neurotrophic factors, stereotactic intervention and cell therapy

Abstract

Decreased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are associated with neurodegenerative diseases characterized by neuronal loss. Thus, BDNF may be useful for the prevention and management of several diseases, including Parkinson’s disease.

Stereotactic surgery for bilateral placement of deep brain stimulator electrode arrays in the subthalamic nucleus for treatment of the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease is a very effective and safe alternative to medical therapy when that therapy becomes ineffective or poorly tolerated. 

Recent news of positive early-stage results for stem cell therapies has produced new hope to an old idea to replace the killed dopaminergic neuron in a brain to a new one. Neural stem cells (NSCs) can be derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) or embryonic stem cells (ESCs) under conditions consistent with clinical regulations.