Stem Cell Therapy for Alzheimer’s has made huge strides in the last 5 years or so.

Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disease that slowly erodes memory, thinking, and independence. It’s the most common cause of dementia and despite decades of research, there’s still no cure. The drugs we have today offer only modest benefits, often focused on slowing symptoms, not reversing them.

That’s where stem cell therapy for Alzheimer’s comes in. Scientists are exploring whether certain types of stem cells can reduce inflammation, protect brain cells, and maybe even regenerate parts of the brain damaged by the disease.

In this article, we’ll break down how stem cells treat Alzheimer’s, the latest research and where treatment might be available today.

What Is Alzheimer’s Disease, Really?

Alzheimer’s is more than just memory loss. It’s a progressive brain disease that damages and destroys brain cells over time, leading to confusion, personality changes, and eventually the loss of basic functions like speaking and walking.

But what’s really going on inside the brain? Scientist’s have identified these factors so far:

• Amyloid Plaques (the sticky stuff)
  Tiny bits of protein called amyloid-beta clump together between brain cells and form sticky plaques. These interrupt communication between neurons and may trigger inflammation and cell death.
• Tau Tangles (the twisted mess inside brain cells)
  Inside neurons, another protein called tau becomes faulty and forms twisted fibers known as neurofibrillary tangles. These block the transport system within brain cells, causing them to break down and die.
• Chronic Inflammation
  The brain’s immune cells, called microglia, are supposed to clean up waste and protect neurons. But in Alzheimer’s, they become overactive, leading to chronic inflammation that actually damages healthy brain cells instead of helping them.
•  Loss of Synapses and Brain Shrinkage
  As more neurons die, the brain literally shrinks. Connections between brain cells (called synapses) disappear, especially in areas related to memory, thinking, and behavior.
  

Why doesn’t normal medication work for Alzheimer’s?

Traditional drugs aim to boost memory or slow symptoms but they don’t fix the damage or stop the root causes. That’s why scientists are turning to stem cell therapy: to reduce inflammation, protect remaining neurons, and possibly even repair or replace lost brain cells.

What Is Stem Cell Therapy for Alzheimer’s?

Stem cell therapy for Alzheimer’s is an experimental treatment being studied for its potential to slow memory loss, reduce brain inflammation, and protect or repair damaged brain cells.It has the potential to help repair or regenerate damaged brain tissue too, but this part is unclear right now. You can read more on how it works here & here. Or we’ve broken it down for you below

Types of Cells used for Alzheimer’s Stem Cell Treatments

There are a few types of stem cells being used so far:

• Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs): typically from fat tissue, bone marrow, or umbilical cord. These are the main ones being used in actual treatments from clinics.
  
• Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs): reprogrammed from a person’s skin or blood cells
  
• Hematopoietic (blood) stem cells can restore immune cells in the brain

How Stem Cells treat Alzheimer’s specifically

Here’s how scientists think Stem Cells can help treat Alzheimer’s

• Reduce Brain Inflammation
  Chronic inflammation is a major driver of Alzheimer’s. Stem cells, especially MSCs can release anti-inflammatory signals that help calm the brain’s immune response. This creates a healthier environment that may slow damage and protect brain tissue.
• Support Existing Brain Cells
  Rather than replacing neurons, some stem cells release neuroprotective factors that help current brain cells survive longer. Think of it as boosting the brain’s ability to protect itself from further decline.
• Encourage New Neuron Growth
  Certain stem cells may help form new brain cells, especially in memory-related regions like the hippocampus. While it’s still early, this could one day help replace neurons lost to the disease.
• Restore Immune Cell Function
  A major breakthrough from Stanford showed that replacing damaged immune cells (in mice) in the brain (called microglia) with healthy ones restored their ability to clean up toxic proteins like amyloid-beta.
• Personalized Repair Using iPSCs
  Researchers are exploring whether iPSCs can be used to create healthy brain cells in the lab, and then transplant them into the brain to replace cells that have been lost or damaged by Alzheimer’s. These new cells might help by:
  – Restoring connections in parts of the brain responsible for memory and thinking
  – Supporting nearby brain cells by releasing helpful growth factors
  – Reducing inflammation and slowing further damage
  
  This kind of treatment is still in the early research stage. But the idea is to go beyond just slowing symptoms and actually repair parts of the brain affected by Alzheimer’s.

How Is Stem Cell Treatment Delivered for patients with Alzheimer’s?

Stem cell therapy for Alzheimer’s isn’t just about what’s being delivered. It’s about how it’s delivered

Some methods aim to get the cells directly to the brain, while others are easier to administer but may be less targeted.Here’s a breakdown of the main delivery methods used in both research studies and real-world clinics:

• Intravenous (IV) Infusion
  – What it is: Stem cells are dripped into a vein through an IV, usually in the arm.
  – Most common method used by private clinics because it’s simple, low-risk, and doesn’t require surgery.
  – May be marketed for “neuroinflammation,” “immune support,” or general cognitive boost.
  – Limitations: It’s unclear how many stem cells actually cross the blood–brain barrier using this method.
• Intrathecal Injection
  – What it is: Stem cells are injected directly into the spinal canal, into the cerebrospinal fluid.
  – Some early-phase studies (mostly outside the U.S.) are testing this approach because it brings the cells closer to the brain.
  – Used in trials for other neurological conditions too.
  – It’s rare for clinics to offer this type of treatment. It has more direct access to the brain but carries greater risk of infection or nerve injury.
• Intracerebroventricular (ICV)
  – What it is: Cells are injected directly into the brain’s ventricles through a device (usually an Ommaya reservoir) implanted under the scalp.
  – Allows direct delivery into the brain, bypassing the blood–brain barrier.
  – This is only used in highly controlled hospital-based trials. It’s WAY too invasive for commercial use.
• Intranasal (Nasal Spray)
  – What it is: Stem cells or their exosomes are sprayed into the nose, aiming to reach the brain through the olfactory nerves
  – It’s mainly used in trials and rarely used in clinics.
  – There’s a couple of interesting studies coming from China for this. One group had some promising results and no adverse side effects were reported. This article has the full study.
  

This table summarises the delivery methods

What does the Research say about Stem Cells treating Alzheimer’s?

Research into stem cell therapy for Alzheimer’s is still early, but the signs are promising. Across over a dozen clinical trials, patients have seen improvements in memory scores, reduced brain shrinkage, and lower levels of harmful proteins like p-Tau and amyloid. Some even showed changes in brain metabolism and inflammation.

Most studies are still small (usually under 50 participants), and many don’t include control groups. So while the results are encouraging, they aren’t strong enough (yet) to confirm stem cells as a proven treatment. Larger, longer-term trials are still needed.

The research is happening globally, with major studies led in:

• The United States
  
• China
  
• South Korea
  
• And Japan, which pioneered iPSC-based therapies
  

We’ve compiled all the research and broken it down for you here.

How successful is stem cell therapy for Alzheimer’s?

Early clinical trials show stem cell therapy for Alzheimer’s can improve memory scores in up to 60–80% of patients, but results vary and remain unproven.

RB-ADSC Trial (U.S.):
In this small Phase 1 study, 80% of patients showed a drop in p-Tau, one of the toxic proteins tied to Alzheimer’s.
Even better? 60% improved on memory tests (MMSE), and there were no serious side effects reported up to 23 weeks after treatment.

Lomecel-B Trial:
This study focused on brain shrinkage and the results stood out. Patients who got stem cells had 48% more brain volume preserved and slowed hippocampal loss by nearly 62%. That’s a big deal, considering how fast the brain typically deteriorates in Alzheimer’s.

But remember, these studies were tiny & super early stage.

Best Stem Cell Therapy clinics for Alzheimer’s

We don’t let any clinic just sign up or pay to be listed.

We speak to every clinic directly and review their medical team, the treatments they offer, how their stem cells are sourced and how they follow up with patients after treatment.

We also review licensing documents to confirm they meet the legal and medical standards of the country they operate in. For example, whether cells are processed in a GMP-certified facility or if they provide documentation on stem cell quality.

Clinics must also agree to let us collect and publish independent patient reviews. Both positive and negative.

Why Use Alt Treatment?

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Top Stem Cell Therapy Clinics in India for Alzheimer’s

Neurologist Specialist Autologous Stem Cells Certified Lab

Plexus is a leading center for neurological rehabilitation and stem cell therapy, helping patients with stroke, Parkinson’s, Autism, and more. Their facility is India’s first ISO-certified stem cell research center.

View Full Profile

Is Stem Cell Therapy for Alzheimer’s Safe?

Early trials suggest stem cell therapy for Alzheimer’s is generally safe, with no serious side effects reported in multiple Phase 1 and 2 studies.

In fact, safety has been a consistent finding across different delivery methods. Including IV infusion, nasal sprays, and even direct brain injections. 

That said, most trials are still small, and long-term safety beyond 6–12 months hasn’t been fully studied. Larger studies are needed before stem cell therapy can be declared fully risk-free. But so far, it looks promising.

Promising Alzheimer’s Treatments in 2025

While stem cells are one of the most exciting areas of research, scientists are exploring several other cutting-edge treatments. These aim to slow or stop the disease, not just mask the symptoms.

Is it Worth getting Stem Cells for Alzheimer’s?

If you have no other options, potentially. Stem cell therapy for Alzheimer’s is no longer just a futuristic idea,  it’s something scientists and clinics around the world are actively testing. From intravenous infusions to nasal sprays and direct brain injections, researchers are exploring how different types of stem cells might reduce inflammation, protect brain cells, and slow down memory loss.

Early results are promising. Some studies show improvements in cognition, others show slower brain shrinkage, and nearly all have shown that stem cell therapies are safe, at least in the short term. But we’re still in the early phases. Most trials are small, and we don’t yet know how long the benefits last or which patients respond best.

Clinics in places like Japan, Colombia, and India are already offering these treatments, often outside of formal trials. Nothing has been definitely proven yet, but some clinics have had some amazing success stories come out. If you’re thinking about getting Stem Cells for your Alzheimer’s, understand there’s no guarantees it will work right now.