How do Stem cells cure Alzheimer's disease. How does it cure parkinson's?

Question

I need to know exactly how stem cells would cure these diseases. I know that the cures have not yet been discovered but a doctor or medical professional's help would be greatly apprieciated.

Answer 1

I am not a doctor but I can explain what I THINK might happen.
In Alzheimer's, the neurons (brain cells) are coated with this substance called "plaque". The plaque makes the neurons unable to communicate with each other, and they die. The dead plaque-y neurons form "tangles" which further impede the communication and more neurons die. Unlike other parts of the body, dead neurons don't grow back or regenerate.
If stem cells could be used to grow new neurons, although the people couldn't regain lost memories, they could make new memories and re-learn things they had forgotten.
Stem cells, theoretically, are so "new" and undifferentiated that they can grow into any kind of cell in the human body.
Like the person above said, it would not be a "cure", it would just be a way to overcome the symptoms for a while at least.
My dad is personally involved in a study for a new drug which dissolves the plaque and stops new plaque from forming. It is well on its way to FDA approval and by the time the stem cell thing gets straightened out will be available by prescription.

Answer 2

Stem cell therapy does not cure Alzheimer's Disease or Parkinson's Disease. Stem cells are injected in the hope that they will grow and multiply into new brain cells when used to treat these two conditions. It doesn't always work but on the other hand it doesn't always fail. With some success a person can see an improvement of their condition but the underlying disease process continues unabated. There is some thought that if the disease is genetic, that a person's own cells would work against them as these new cells would be identical to the cells that are being replaced and they, too, would be prone to the disease process. However at this time it is mostly speculation. More success has been achieved with Parkinson's Disease through stem cell transplants because the only thing apparently wrong in this condition is missing Dopamine producing neurons, the cause of their terminating is not quite understood. Alzheimer's Disease is a much more complex condition which involves protein plaques deposits which choke off neurons. Without being able to remove these plaques any new cells which could be encouraged to grow would not last long or be of much benefit.

Answer 3

The Parkinson's Reversing Breakthrough?