Review of the Current Knowledge on the Role of Stem Cell Transplantation in Neurorehabilitation

Stem cell therapy combined with physiotherapy offers a great opportunity for patients with conditions like spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, and stroke. These cells may replace the damaged cells and the restoration of the brain develops. Adult stem cells, such as neural stem cells in the brain, can stimulate the generation of new neurons and nonneuronal cells like oligodendrocytes and astrocytes. The increased proliferation of neural stem cells (NSCs) was proved to come from endogenous neural progenitor cells. Rehabilitation programs aim to optimize recovery post-transplantation, supporting the idea that exercise and mechanical stimulation are important for musculoskeletal regeneration. Neurological disorders may cause paralysis, muscle weakness, poor coordination, and altered levels of consciousness.

• 1
  Mesenchymal stem cell transplantation can remarkably improve the neurological function of SCI in animals without any severe side effect.
• 2
  Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have been used to treat patients with injured spinal cords, showing an absence of clinical progression in 75% of patients after 49 months.
• 3
  Physical activity stimulates neural plasticity by increasing astrocytes and neural stem cells, generating neurotrophic factors like brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).