Neural tube defects: review of experimental evidence on stem cell therapy and newer treatment options.

The failure of closure of the neural tube during development leads to malformations called neural tube defects (NTDs). The most common neural malformations in humans include anencephaly, encephalocele, exencephaly, craniorachischisis spina bifida with or without myelomeningocele, lipomyeloschisis, lipomyelomeningocele, meningocele and myelocystocele. Current preventive strategies are mainly based on pharmacologic/folic acid supplementation. However, stem cell-based and other combination approaches may emerge as potential treatment options for NTDs. This review provides an account of experimental evidence on stem cell therapy and newer treatment options for NTDs which have become available in recent years.