Stem Cells and Regenerative Therapies: Clarification of Terminology and Potential Applications in Aging and Neurodegenerative Disorders

The application of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is a growing field in medicine, yet the terminology used in the literature remains heterogeneous. Proper characterization of cells used in clinical therapies is critical as the field continues to progress; in particular, the difference between MSCs and stromal vascular fraction cells (SVFCs) must be emphasized. MSCs have a variety of clinical applications, including serving in restorative and protective roles against aging and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Nevertheless, much remains unknown about MSCs and much research remains to be performed. As regenerative medicine continues to advance, an international registry of regenerative medicine interventions ought to be created, to allow for the systematic analysis of data within a controlled and accessible database.