줄기세포 기본과 소아신경 질환에서의 전망

The Baiscs and the Prospect of Stem Cells for Ped iatric Neurologic Diseases

Stem cells are a special kind of cells that have a unique capacity to renew themselves and to give rise to specialized cell types. Researchers have for years looked for ways to use stem cells in order to replace cells and tissues that are damaged or diseased. In 1998, for the first time, it became possible to derive this kind of pluripotent stem cells from early human embryos and grow them in culture. Nearly at the same time scientists were beginning to explore human pluripotent stem cells from fetal and adult tissues, socalled adult stem cells. This promising area of science is also leading neurologists to investigate the possibility of cell-based therapies to repair damaged brain cells. Among the pediatric neurologic diseases, infarcted brain, leukodystrophy, inherited metabolic diseases and neurotransmitter diseases are the immediate candidates of the stem cell therapy. This document covers a basic information about stem cells and a potential use of the stem cell therapy for pediatric neurologic diseases.