Advances in the clinical application of mesenchymal stem cells for neurological disorders

Abstract

Therapeutic approaches employing mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as a promising avenue for investigating treatments for neurological disorders. This strategy aims to capitalize on the biological properties of MSCs to support the repair of damaged neural tissue and modulate pathological processes. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current clinical evidence regarding MSC applications in major neurological disorders, including Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS), stroke, spinal cord injury (SCI), and other pertinent disorders. Across clinical studies, MSC administration has generally demonstrated a favorable safety profile and procedural feasibility. However, therapeutic efficacy remains variable and inconsistent across trials. Importantly, differences in MSC sources, manufacturing procedures, delivery routes, dosing strategies, and patient selection contribute substantially to the heterogeneity of reported outcomes. Therefore, the current body of evidence supports the safety of MSC-based interventions, but their clinical effectiveness has not yet been consistently demonstrated. Future progress will depend largely on the standardization of cell preparation and treatment protocols, improved biomarker-driven patient stratification, and rigorously designed large-scale randomized trials.