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Using Patient-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells to Model and Treat Epilepsies

  • Epilepsy (CW Bazil, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are transforming the fields of disease modeling and precision therapy. For the treatment of neurological disorders, iPSCs introduce the possibility for targeted cell-based therapies by deriving patient-specific neural tissue in vitro that may ultimately be used for transplantation. We review iPSC technologies and their applications that have already advanced our understanding of neurological disorders, focusing on the epilepsies. We also discuss the application of powerful new tools such as genome editing and multi-well, multi-electrode array recording platforms to iPSC disease modeling and therapy development for the epilepsies. Despite some limitations, the field of iPSCs is evolving rapidly and is quickly becoming vital for understanding mechanisms of genetic epilepsies and for future patient-specific therapeutic applications.

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Conflict of Interest

Xixi Du and Jack M. Parent declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neuroscience Graduate Program, Medical Scientist Training Program, Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical Center, University of Michigan, 5078 BSRB, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2200, USA

    Xixi Du & Jack M. Parent

  2. VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, 5021 BSRB, 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2200, USA

    Jack M. Parent

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  1. Xixi Du
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Correspondence to Jack M. Parent.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Epilepsy

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Du, X., Parent, J.M. Using Patient-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells to Model and Treat Epilepsies. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 15, 71 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-015-0588-3

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