Neural stem and progenitor cells in health and disease

Neural stem/progenitor cells ( NSPCs ) have the potential to differentiate into neurons, astrocytes, and/or oligodendrocytes. Because these cells can be expanded in culture, they represent a vast source of neural cells. With the recent discovery that patient fibroblasts can be reprogrammed directly into induced NSPCs , the regulation of NSPC fate and function, in the context of cell‐based disease models and patient‐specific cell‐replacement therapies, warrants review. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2013, 5:701–715. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1239 This article is categorized under: Developmental Biology > Lineages Biological Mechanisms > Regulatory Biology Developmental Biology > Stem Cell Biology and Regeneration