Frequently Asked Questions: Research

Stem cells are cells in the body that have the extraordinary ability to develop into any other cell type in the human body - heart cells, skin cells, nerve cells and so on. This means that they have major potential to replace or restore damaged tissue. Since stem cells can also become nerve cells, they could potentially be harnessed to repair damage caused by the neurological conditions that cause dementia.

The source of stem cells has been a controversial topic in the past since many people thought that they could only be obtained from embryos. In fact, stem cells are found in many places in the body, including the bone marrow, blood, organs and even the brain. One of the newest technologies can even create stem cells from skin cells taken from an adult.

Alzheimer's Society fully supports research into stem cells and the development of a therapy that could one day cure, or even prevent dementia. Read our position statement.

Stem cell research is at the forefront of current medical research worldwide. This is an exciting and promising area for medicine that may revolutionise the treatment of many diseases in the coming decades.

Stem cell research funded by Alzheimer's Society

• Understanding the genetic link between dementia and Down's Syndrome

Lead Investigator: Dr Emma Jones
Institution: Institute of Psychiatry, KCL

• Stimulating brain stem cells to repair damaged nerve cells

Lead Investigator: Professor Clive Ballard
Institution: Institute of Psychiatry, KCL

• Could stem cells reverse damage caused by stroke?

Lead Investigator: Dr Kaylene Young
Institution: University College London

• How do stem cells become brain cells?

Lead Investigator: Dr Virginie Sottile
Institution: University of Nottingham