Modeling Brain Pathologies Using Neural Stem Cells

The study of the mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases is a highly demanding goal, complicated by the complexity and heterogeneity of the nervous system and by the long period of time over which these pathologies develop in humans. The use of“simplified” in vitro cell models is therefore often mandatory and useful to investigate aspects of the pathology. Yet, it is a matter of debate how truly informative is this so-called“reductionist approach” to the pathology, especially in the case of complex diseases like those affecting the central nervous system. It is undeniable that in vitro cell cultures lack that unique microenvironment affecting cell behavior and survival in vivo and, of course, extrapolation of results obtained in vitro to the in vivo situation is difficult. Nevertheless, it is just the potential absence of any kind of complicating factors that make it possible to observe and measure the many fundamental biological processes that occur, for example, in the presence of a mutant protein involved in a disease. Another advantage of in vitro models is that they are extremely easy to handle and surely represent the first choice when initially screening for therapeutic compounds.