Table 2 The advantages and disadvantages of using BFCNs as donor cells in the stem cell-based approaches for AD

Subtype-specific replacing the lost endogenous BFCNs in basal forebrain

The standard preparation of homogeneous human BFCN progenitors

Repairing the dysfunctions of basal forebrain cholinergic system by releasing acetylcholine, neurotrophic factors or cytokines

The efficient cholinergic specificaiton of BFCN progenitors, and long term survival of cholinergic derivatives in vivo

Functionally integrating into the endogenous basal forebrain neural circuitries

The disabilities of lone-distance innervation from the basal forebrain to hippocampus and cortex

Rescuing the innervation track along the host cholinergic projections through out the basal forebrain

The uneven and patchy migration through the basal forebrain to hippocampus and cortex