Preclinical Optimization of Cell Therapies: Cell Therapy and Structural Plasticity Following Cerebral Ischemia.- Delivery Routes for Cell Therapy in Stroke -- Different Sources of Stem Cells for Transplantation Therapy in Stroke -- Efficacy of Transplant and Endogenous Precursor and Stem Cell Interventions on Stroke Recovery -- Translational Imaging Techniques to Study Cell Therapy: Cell Labeling Methods for Non-Invasive MR Imaging of Stem Cells -- Strategies for Enhanced, MRI-guided Targeting of Stem Cells to Stroke Lesions -- Image-guided Injection and Non-invasive Monitoring of Tissue Regeneration in the Stroke-damaged Brain -- Tracking of Autologous VSOP-Labelled Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Sheep Brain Using 3T MRI -- Neural Stem Cell Mapping With High Resolution Rapid Scanning X-ray Fluorescence Imaging -- In Vivo Biodistribution Studies and Cell Tracking in Stroke Using SPECT Imaging -- Early Phase Clinical Studies: Clinical Trials -- Intravenous Cell Therapies for Stroke -- Intra-arterial Cell Therapy in Stroke Patients -- Intraventricular Route of Cell Transplantation for Stroke-Related Diseases.

Stroke remains one of the main causes of death and disability worldwide. Effective therapy for stroke recovery remains an unmet need. Much hope and promises are placed on cell-based therapies. The aim of this book is to provide focused yet comprehensive reviews on the current state of cell-based approaches in the treatment of stroke. The topics covered include experimental data on functional outcome after intravascular and intracerebral delivery of cells in stroke animals, followed by translational chapters which will rely heavily on the use of different imaging modalities in the tracking of cells. The last and most challenging part will describe the early phase of clinical studies, providing guidelines for future research and clinical applications. Clearly and concisely written, this text will be a useful resource for neurologists, radiologists, and neuroscientists interested in cell transplantation as a therapeutic strategy for stroke patients.