Treatment with adipose stem cells in a patient with moderate Alzheimer's disease: case report

Possible usefulness.
https://www.dovepress.com/articles.php?article_id=24177

Authors Tsolaki M, Zygouris S, Tsoutsikas V, Anestakis D, Koliakos G
Received 22 July 2015
Accepted for publication 18 August 2015
Published 15 October 2015 Volume 2015:3 Pages 115—120
DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/JN.S92869
Checked for plagiarism Yes
Review by Single-blind
Peer reviewers approved by Dr Saberi Hooshang
Peer reviewer comments 3
Editor who approved publication: Prof. Dr. Hari Shanker Sharma

Magda Tsolaki,^1,2 Stelios Zygouris,^1,3 Vassilis Tsoutsikas,² Doxakis Anestakis,^2,4,5 George Koliakos<sup>6,7

1</sup>Third Department of Neurology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece; ²Greek Association of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, Thessaloniki, Greece; ³CND+, ⁴Laboratory of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece; ⁵Laboratory of General Biology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece; ⁶Biohellenika Stem Cells Bank, Thessaloniki, Greece; ⁷Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece


Objective: This article presents the case of a female patient with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The patient was treated with cholinesterase inhibitors and also with intravenous administration of autologous adipose stem cells.
Methods: The patient was assessed with a neuropsychological battery including measures of general cognition, functional problems, neuropsychiatric issues, memory (verbal, visual and episodic), verbal learning and visuospatial abilities. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were conducted before and after the treatment with stem cells.
Results: A transient and mild improvement of scores in measures of general cognition and neuropsychiatric issues was evident. A rapid deterioration followed the initial improvement. The first MRI scan showed ischemic areas in periventricular white matter of both hemispheres, as well as in both temporal and parietal lobes. The second MRI scan revealed the same picture with no significant changes.
Conclusion: This case report indicates that the administration of stem cells is feasible in a clinical setting however its effectiveness in the treatment of AD is uncertain. The improvement of the patient's condition highlights the potential therapeutic action of stem cells, however the rapid deterioration poses questions concerning limited effectiveness or possible side effects of stem cell administration. Further research is needed in order to clarify the method's effectiveness.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, stem cells, case report, dementia
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