Neural stem cells (NSCs) are unique subsets of stem cells with self-renewal
and multiple lineage differentiation potential, which are considered promising cell
sources for neuron generation and complex cognitive and sensory functions, and the
resultant NSC-based cryotherapy for regenerative purposes. Of them, distinguished
from the small amount of activated subset, most of the NSCs are maintained in the
quiescent state and reveal a low level of metabolic activity but a high sensitivity to the
environment. The dynamic balance between quiescence and the activity of NSCs
determines both the efficiency of neurogenesis and the long-term maintenance and
self-renewal of the NSC pool as well as the neurogenic capacity of the brain. In this
chapter, we mainly review the classification and biofunction of NSCs, and introduce
the significant progress in the understanding of NSC-based applications and the
underlying molecular mechanism for NSC quiescence, the dysfunction in neurogenesis,
and the pathogenesis of neurological disorders. Collectively, these data will facilitate the development of NSC-based cytotherapy for a broad spectrum of refractory and
recurrent diseases in the future.
Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Biological features, Cerebral palsy, Classification, Definition, Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, Human pluripotent stem cells, Microenvironment, Multiple lineage differentiation, Multiple sclerosis, Neural stem cells, Neurodegenerative diseases, Parkinson's disease, Peripheral arterial disease, Psychiatric illnesses, Safety and efficacy, Self-renewal, Stroke, Spinal cord injury.
