ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci & Tech (Diseases))

Context: Recently, scientists transplanted stem cells into mice and observed a reduction in brain abnormalities characteristic of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's Disease

• About: It is a progressive neurologic disorder that causes the brain to shrink (atrophy) and brain cells to die.
• Dementia is a general term for loss of memory, language, problem-solving, and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life.
• Impact Areas: The brain is responsible for cognition, memory, and language.
• It can significantly hinder an individual's capacity to perform routine daily tasks.
• Vulnerability: While Alzheimer's disease primarily impacts the elderly, it can also manifest in individuals as young as their 30s or 40s.

Stem Cells Therapy 

• Stem cell therapy falls under the umbrella of regenerative medicine, aiming to mend injured cells in the body through the reduction of inflammation and the modulation of the immune system.

Stem Cells

• About: These Cells are the foundational cells that can differentiate into specialized cells with distinct functions.
• Two main categories: pluripotent stem cells (can differentiate into various adult cells) and adult stem cells (tissue/organ-specific).
• In specific circumstances within the body or a controlled laboratory setting, stem cells undergo division, resulting in the generation of additional cells known as daughter cells.