Treating Alzheimer's
with Stem Cells

In 1983, President Ronald Reagan designated November as National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. At that time, fewer than 2 million Americans were diagnosed with the condition. As of 2025, 55 million people worldwide are living with dementia, with Alzheimer’s disease being the most common form. Projections suggest this number may rise to 139 million by 2050. While there are currently no effective therapies, hope is on the horizon with regenerative medicine research. 

Effects of Alzheimer's

Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder and the leading cause of dementia. Medically, Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by the accumulation of β-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain, which can lead to localized inflammation, synaptic loss, and neuronal death.

Patients may exhibit memory loss, confusion, and difficulty completing familiar tasks, as well as changes in mood and personality, which can eventually lead to a loss of independence in daily living.

Stem Cell Research

Because stem cells like those in cord blood and cord tissue (see the difference) have demonstrated immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties in laboratory settings, researchers are investigating their potential to mitigate the neuroinflammation associated with Alzheimer’s.

"Stem cells are very potent anti-inflammatories,” said Dr. Bernard S. Baumel, assistant professor of neurology at Miami Miller School of Medicine. “We believe infusions of these types of stem cells have the potential to be beneficial to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease."

Pre-Clinical Studies in Mice

Cord Blood (2015): A study investigated the use of human umbilical cord blood in 23 mice afflicted with Alzheimer’s. Mice infused with cord blood showed improved learning, memory, and motor function and markedly reduced Aβ deposits compared to the control group.

A similar study in 2001 found that human umbilical cord blood extended the life of mice with Alzheimer’s.
 

Studies in Humans

Bridging the gap between pre-clinical research and human therapy is an essential and ongoing phase of the scientific process. A 2017, a phase I clinical trial involving nine patients investigated the safety of cord blood-derived stem cells. While the study established safety, cognitive decline had not slowed within the trial's two-year period.

Researchers have not lost hope.

In 2018, researchers were able to spur the creation of cholinergic-like neurons from cord tissue stem cells when cultured with a Cholinergic-N-Run medium for up to 7 days. The dysfunction and loss of cholinergic neurons is believed to lead to the progressive decline in learning and memory performance in people with Alzheimer’s. The study gives researchers hope for the future direct replacement of these lost cells.

Clinical Trials

The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine conducted a clinical trial a clinical trial investigating the safety of allogeneic cord tissue stem cells to treat Alzheimer’s disease. It included individuals with mild Alzheimer’s disease symptoms who are otherwise healthy. Participants in the treatment group demonstrated less decline, improved quality of life, and higher levels of anti-inflammatory and pro-vascular markers.

With the field of regenerative medicine rapidly evolving, clinical trial recruitment and study statuses change frequently. To find the most up-to-date, real-time information on clinical trials we encourage the review of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) database.