Where are we in clinical applications of stem cells in ischaemic stroke?

Abstract

The safety and feasibility of novel stem cell therapy for ischaemic stroke is emerging from limited numbers of carefully selected patients. Exogenous cell therapy as a means of augmenting brain repair processes is promising supported by favourable outcomes in animal stroke models. Mesenchymal stem cell based trials outnumber neural stem cell trials due to ease of sourcing and administration. Further efficacy evidence from larger numbers of patients remains to be seen.