Neural Stem Cells for Transplantation

Neural stem cell (NSC) biology has generated a great deal of interest in recent years. It can inform on both intrinsic and extrinsic processes that underlie cell diversity within the central nervous system (CNS), and is a powerful method for improving understanding of cell ancestry and potential. An extension of this knowledge is apparent in applied neuroscience, in which defined stem-cell-derived populations offer vast therapeutic potential in the management of human CNS disease. Cells can now be isolated from the developing or adult rodent CNS, and expanded in culture, while retaining the capacity for differentiation into a wide variety of cellular phenotypes. In many cases, these may represent the founders of the CNS: multipotent NSCs (McKay, 1997 ). Similar cells may also be isolated from human primary fetal tissues. Ethical and practical constraints on the procurement of viable human tissue emphasizes the worth of NSCs in providing an plentiful alternative source of human neural cells.