Stem cell breakthrough on mice ‘reverses Alzheimer’s’: Chinese scientists in breakthrough experiment

In a groundbreaking experiment, Chinese scientists have used human embryonic stem cells to nurse back to health mice afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease.

A team in Shanghai found that by transplanting neurons derived from the cells into the rodents they could reverse their cognitive degeneration.

The breakthrough showed for the first time a practical method to rejuvenate an ageing brain with a fertilised egg, and paved the way for the eventual application of the method to human patients, the researchers said.

Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects tens of millions of people. It causes a general decline in brain activity, characterised by memory loss and difficulty in speaking, due to neuron damage in the brain.

Scientists have spent decades searching for a way to reverse such neuron damage.

Previous studies have suggested Alzheimer’s involved too many types of neurons and molecular mechanisms to be treated with stem-cell therapy. Many researchers have regarded stem-cell therapy as too limited and able only to repair very specific types of neurons.