How To Recover from Neurodegenerative Diseases with Stem Cell Treatment

More than 50 million people are suffering from neurodegenerative diseases. 1 out of every 3 people has a chance of developing neurological disorders.

6.2 million people alone in the US are affected by neurodegenerative disorders.

Nearly 15 percent of the global population is suffering from physical and cognitive disabilities due to neurological conditions.

Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are leading neurodegenerative diseases.

Neurodegenerative diseases affect the mental, heart, and autonomic functions of a person.

Most patients experience permanent symptoms from neurological diseases. These diseases destroy nerve cells and impair peripheral nervous system functions.

This blog lets us learn the benefits of non-surgical stem cell treatment. We will discuss the best alternative treatment for neurodegenerative diseases.

Overview of Neurodegenerative Diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases kill the brain cells, nerve cells, and the abilities of the nervous system. Leading causes of such diseases include genetics, habits such as alcoholism, illnesses such as stroke, and aging.

Such diseases affect each individual differently. They experience various symptoms at different stages of life. Some of the symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases are –

• Immobility and imbalance
• Abnormal walking posture
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Reduced bowel and bladder function
• Fluctuating blood pressure levels
• Sleep disturbances
• Breathing problem
• Decreased functions of the heart

Types of Neurodegenerative Diseases

In this section, we will explore the different types of neurodegenerative diseases and their impact on life.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that causes gradual memory loss. The premature death of nerve cells in the brain impairs thinking and memory functions.

Predominant signs of this disease highlight –

• Loss of memory
• Difficulty in reading or writing
• Time and place-related confusion
• Frequent mood swings
• Chances of getting lost while wandering
• Poor judgment and bad decision-making

Common causes of Alzheimer’s disease are –

• Shrinking of blood vessels in the brain due to aging.
• Passing down the symptoms or causes of the disease through genetics.
• Environmental factors such as exposure to air pollutants.
• Hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and heart disease increase the chances of Alzheimer’s.

Parkinson’s Disease

Dopamine-producing islet cell death in the brain causes Parkinson’s. A reduction in the level of dopamine within the body causes several disabilities. It impacts the body’s balance, mobility, and ability to coordinate.

Prevalent symptoms of Parkinson’s disease highlight –

• Shaking or tremors of the legs, arms, or jaw.
• Slow movement and repeated movements with walking difficulties.
• Stiff and inflexible muscles with sudden cramps
• Loss of smell
• Excess salivation
• Mood swings and disorders such as depression

Age, genetics, environmental factors, and brain injuries can aggravate the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. People who have Parkinson’s also suffer the risk of developing Melanoma, helicobacter pylori infection, and low levels of blood urate.

Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is a neurodegenerative condition that impairs the central nervous system of the patient. The brain and spinal cord are seriously affected due to the disease.

The degeneration of the myelin sheath is the primary cause of MS. Naturally, the signal transmission is reduced or blocked due to this condition.

Symptoms of multiple sclerosis include –

• Blurred vision, blind spot, and double vision
• Weakness of the muscles
• Imbalance
• Bladder and bowel dysfunction
• Memory and reasoning difficulties

Leading causes of multiple sclerosis include –

• Family history of MS genetics can be passed on to children.
• Low levels of Vitamin D
• High body mass indexing or obesity
• A common MS virus called Epstein-Barr
• Lifestyle factors such as smoking
• High level of stress and hypertension

Read Also: Benefits of Stem Cell Treatment: How To Stop the Progression of Multiple Sclerosis?

Huntington’s Disease

A type of brain disorder that slowly damages nerve cells. Huntington’s disease is usually inherited through genetics. It causes cognitive impairment and induces psychiatric symptoms. This disease can impact both children and adults based on the onset period.

Common symptoms of this disease indicate –

• Behavioral changes such as concentration problems, irritability, clumsiness, and depression.
• Problems with speech and swallowing.
• Mobility and body-balancing problems.
• Involuntary movements and fidgeting.
• Memory loss and poor judgment.
• Paranoia and hallucination.
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder and bipolar disorder.

Mutated HTT genes cause Huntington’s disease. In most cases, these abnormal genes are passed down to a child from either of the parents.

Multiple System Atrophy

Several regions of the brain deteriorate when a person is suffering from multiple system atrophy. It significantly limits the functions coordinated from those parts of the brain. Multiple system atrophy is an encapsulation of three conditions. These are striatonigral degeneration, Shy-Drager syndrome, and sporadic olivopontocerebellar atrophy.

Dysfunctional symptoms of this disease highlight –

• Reduced blood pressure levels.
• Dysfunctional bladder system.
• Erectile dysfunction in men.
• Rapid eye movement and sleeping disorders.
• Vision problems.
• Sleep apnea.

Genetics related to Parkinson’s disease and oxidative stress, environmental factors, and abnormal alpha-synuclein protein levels in the brain cells cause multiple system atrophy.

Symptoms

People who suffer from neurodegenerative diseases go through the following problems –

• Difficulty in movement – Weakness, paralysis, abnormal walking, and muscle spasms.
• Reduced mental functioning – Memory loss, confusion, and loss of concentration.
• Modified autonomic functions – Irregular blood pressure levels, disturbances of sleeping patterns, and dysfunctional bowel system.
• Difficulty speaking, stuttering, and other speech problems.

Challenges with Traditional Treatment Methods

Medical practitioners and patients face several challenges with traditional treatment methods for neurodegenerative diseases. Some of the difficulties are –

• Difficulties in drug delivery to the brain due to the non-invasive nature of the blood-brain barrier that prevents passing foreign substances to the brain.
• Lack of treatment options to heal the causes of neurodegenerative diseases. Most treatment methods only focus on managing the symptoms of neurological conditions.
• Problem in identifying the reason for cell death in the early stages of a neurodegenerative disease.
• Lack of research material related to the several pathogenic mechanisms that contribute to neurodegenerative diseases.
• The survival rate of patients with neurodegenerative diseases is very low.
• It is highly difficult to diagnose a neurodegenerative disease conclusively in the early stages.

Stem Cell Therapy for Neurodegenerative Diseases

Stem cell is a type of regenerative medicine. These cells are found within the human body and act as the repair system.

These cells are important for tissue engineering, required for stem cell therapy, applied in biochemical techniques, and stimulate the body’s natural healing process.

Stem cell therapy is highly effective in healing cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases, spinal cord injuries, cancer, orthopedic conditions, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Types of Stem Cells

Different types of stem cells include –

1. Adult stem cells – Found in adults, these cells replace the dead cells in the body.
2. Embryonic stem cells – Derived from human embryos, these cells can transform into any type of cell.
3. Mesenchymal stem cells – Found in the human umbilical cord tissues (Wharton’s Jelly), bone marrow, or body fat.
4. Neural stem cells – Tissue-oriented stem cells that regenerate brain and nerve cells.
5. Pluripotent stem cells – Adult stem cells with the ability to convert into any type of body cells.

Characteristics of Stem Cells

Features of stem cells highlight –

• Undivided and non-functional stem cells in the primary stages perform the actions of the cells they convert into.
• The ability of stem cells to constantly multiply and renew itself.
• Transformative abilities of MSCs enable conversion into blood, heart, brain, and nerve cells.
• Different abilities of stem cells such as multipotency, pluripotency, and totipotency help to treat different diseases and injuries.
• Anti-inflammatory actions that provide pain relief from several conditions.
• Immunomodulatory effects improve the function of the immunity system to fight infections better.

Administration Process for Stem Cell Injections

Stem cell therapy is a minimally invasive and non-surgical treatment. Let us find out the different types of administration methods for stem cells –

1. Intravenous injections of mesenchymal stem cells are given through the veins.
2. Intraarticular injections are given directly into the site of the pain, injury, or disease.
3. Intramuscular injections are given into the surrounding muscle of the affected area.

Benefits of Stem Cell Treatment

Remarkable benefits of stem cell therapy for neurodegenerative diseases indicate –

• Replacement of damaged and dead neurons with new and replenished ones.
• Regeneration and stabilization of the neuronal network for better signal transmission.
• Reversal of neurodegeneration symptoms at the neural circuit level to improve learning and tuning abilities.
• Regeneration of damaged or lost neural tissues.
• Reinstating cognitive abilities such as attention span, information processing, memory, and thinking abilities.
• Restoration of body balance.
• Improvement in posture, mobility, and digestion.
• Secretion of neurotrophic and growth factors such as chemokines and cytokines for natural replacement of lost cells.
• Stem cells promote the regenerative abilities of neurons to improve brain functions in Alzheimer’s disease treatment.
• MSCs possess neurogenesis abilities that repair the dopamine-producing cells in the brain through stem cell therapy for Parkinson’s disease.
• MSCs have neurogenesis property enabling them to stimulate myelination or regeneration of the myelin sheath through oligodendrocyte cell differentiation.

Patient Success Stories

Mesenchymal stem cells highlight remarkable results of improvement in patients with neurodegenerative disorders. Highlights from case studies depict –

Case Studies

• Case Study 1 – Louise was the first human on the planet who successfully recovered from multiple sclerosis after getting a stem cell therapy with mesenchymal stem cells.
• Case Study 2 – A 75-year-old lady named Greta completely recovered from multiple sclerosis after two stem cell therapy sessions.

Scope of Future Improvements

Potential improvements in neurodegenerative treatment methods highlight –

1. Gene therapy – Replacement of diseased or mutated genes with healthy ones.
2. Precision medicine – A technique to combine neurological test results, genome sequencing, lab vitals, and imaging scans to come up with better treatment methods.
3. Biomarker identification – The latest biomarkers can help to detect neurological diseases at the earliest stage.
4. Stem cell therapy – A regenerative medicine that promotes natural regeneration of damaged tissues and cells.

Advancements in Stem Cell Therapy for Neurological Diseases

Breakthrough of novel stem cell therapy is a scientific and healthcare achievement. Some of the innovative advancements in stem cell therapy for treating neurodegenerative diseases highlight –

• The ability of neural stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells to transform into particular cells such as glial cells or neurons. This helps to replace neurologically damaged cells.
• Gene modification strategies are currently tested using stem cells to treat neurodegenerative diseases.
• Possibility of stem cell administration through the nasal cavity to avoid the blood-brain barrier.
• Creation of 3-D scaffolds to make a suitable environment for stem cell differentiation.

Read Also: Is Stem Cell Therapy A Cure For Neurodegenerative Diseases?

Conclusion

Accelerated production of growth factors to replace damaged neurons and slow the progression of the diseases.

The therapeutic properties of stem cells help to restore the lost functions of the brain. Also, it helps to improve the motor functions of neurodegenerative patients.

The Life Altering Stem Cell Therapy Institute is a renowned American-owned clinic with the best stem cell treatment for Alzheimer’s in Mexico.

Talk to our certified stem cell doctors to identify the best treatment for your condition.

Regain muscle strength, move freely, and make the most of your memories with stem cell therapy.

Stem Cell Therapy For Parkinson’s Disease: A Novel Hope

Medical scientists have been making continued efforts in stem cell research for years to develop a safe and effective cell-based therapy for Parkinson’s disease. As per the database of the National Institute of Health, a trusted source, Parkinson’s affects 1% of older adults aged 60 years or above in developed nations. This neurological disorder has taken a toll on the quality of elderly individuals by impacting the functioning of the brain.

This article attempts to bring to light the therapeutic innovation in treating Parkinson’s disease using stem cells, its potential benefits, effectiveness, and results of clinical trials. So, let’s dive into the details!

Parkinson’s Disease – A Brief Overview

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder that causes damage or death of neurons in specific regions of the brain, impacting the patient’s motor function. Dopamine is a hormone that acts as a messenger and facilitates interactions between nerve cells. This neurotransmitter is produced in the brain by specialized cells and is responsible for primary body functions like movement, memory, speaking, writing, and sleep.

In Parkinson’s disease, the dopamine-producing cells die or get damaged, decreasing dopamine levels. The ability of the brain to send signals to other parts of the body declines, and it loses control over movement, coordination, speech, etc.

A decrease in dopamine level can lead to the following symptoms in a patient –

• Tremors or uncontrollable shaking in the arms, hands, or legs
• Stiffness or rigidity in muscles
• Difficulty in coordination, balance, and walking
• Bradykinesia or slowness in movements
• Problems with speech
• Difficulty in writing
• Decreased memory power and lack of concentration
• Irregularity in sleep patterns
• Bladder and bowel movement problems
• Dyskinesia or abnormal involuntary movements

About Stem Cell Therapy

Stem cell therapy for Parkinson’s disease is, indeed, a novel hope because, for ages, there was no cure for this progressive condition. However, researchers and scientists have been researching stem cells and their therapeutic potential in relieving PD patients in the past few years.

Although it remains inconclusive whether cell-based therapy is a definitive cure for PD, research suggests it can help treat PD and significantly slow the progression of the symptoms, improving the patient’s quality of life.

Read on to learn more about the process of stem cell therapy and how it treats PD.

What is stem cell therapy?

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells used for preparing regenerative medicine for treating severe medical conditions like Parkinson’s disease. These cells are natural resources found in the human body that can differentiate and develop any cell type to meet your body’s needs.

Sources of stem cells for collection

Cells used in therapy are either collected from donors or the patient’s body to treat a disease. The primary sources are bone marrow, fat tissue, hip bone, and umbilical cord tissue.

Human umbilical cord tissue is considered an excellent source of mesenchymal stem cells because of their ease of collection and abundance supply. Furthermore, pluripotent cells can self-renew and regenerate cells of any type, such as nerve, muscle, bone, joint, skin, and blood cells. The distinct properties of cord tissue-derived stem cells make them ideal for treating Parkinson’s disease.

Related Read: Stem Cell Basics: What They Are And How Do They Work

Science Behind Stem Cells In Treating Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease causes the death of neurons or nerve cells in parts of the brain, and stem cells replace those cells, halting the progression of the disease. Although researchers are studying various approaches to utilizing stem cells for treating PD, the current approach revolves around delivering undifferentiated cells into the affected areas.

The newly introduced stem cells differentiate and transform into dopamine-producing cells on reaching the target area, thereby replacing the dead neurons. Hence, it can increase the level of dopamine and restore the proper functioning of the brain.

Clinical studies on animal models suggest that stem cells have the potential to provide an infinite supply of dopaminergic neurons that are essential in transmitting signals to nerve cells and enabling physical functions.

The three precise mechanisms based on which mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exert therapeutic effects in reducing symptoms of neurological diseases, including PD, appear to be:

• First, mesenchymal stem cells produce neurotrophic growth factors that improve the survival rates of neuronal cells.
• Second, MSCs aid in the healing of damaged tissues and regenerate healthy nerve cells to replace dead neurons.
• Third, they are rich in immunomodulatory properties that strongly regulate the immune system and prevent neuroinflammation.

Effectiveness of Stem Cell Therapy For Parkinson’s Disease

Initial preclinical and clinical studies on stem cell therapy for Parkinson’s disease indicate exciting results. However, stem cell research is still in its exploratory stage and more study is required to determine the long-term efficacy of stem cells in treating PD.

The considerable improvements that patients experience after receiving cellular therapy are:

• Improved motor function – The repair or replacement of damaged dopaminergic neurons by stem cells helps alleviate the symptoms of PD. It enhances motor behavior, stimulates nerve cell activities, and allows the brain to have better control of voluntary movements.
• Suppress inflammation – Stem cells are rich in anti-inflammatory properties, which reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, which are the primary triggers for Parkinson’s disease in older individuals.
• Regulates immune system – Stem cells help in immune response modulation and stabilize the condition of PD, potentially extending remission or reducing the signs and symptoms of the disease.
• Relief from tremors – After the therapy, there have been marked improvements in patients regarding reduced tremors and uncontrolled shaking of arms or legs.
• Improvement in gait – Introducing stem cells into affected parts of the brain stimulates the growth of dopamine-producing cells which helps in improving body movements and better coordination.
• Postural stability – Most patients receiving stem cells report notable enhancement in posture balance and reduction in rigidity or stiffness in muscles.
• Reduces Dyskinesia – Abnormal or involuntary movements are one of the distressing symptoms of PD, which stem cells can reduce and help patients get relief.
• Improvement in speech and writing – Gradually, patients are seen to have better control and power over the jaw and hands, consequently improving speech and writing capabilities.

Clinical Trials And Research Showing Promising Results

Preliminary efficacy data on PD patients indicates that 85% have shown sustained improvement in their motor function and overall condition. Three months after the treatment, there is a noticeable reduction in symptoms and increased stamina or energy levels, strength, coordination, balance, memory, and vision. Another trial revealed a subjective improvement in facial expression, speech capabilities, and gait and decreased freezing episodes.

Multiple studies on animal models and clinical trials on small human groups have been performed to understand the long-term effectiveness of stem cell therapy. So far, the two remarkable results concluded from those studies – improvement in neuron function and stopping the disease progression. Stem cells provide relief to PD patients by alleviating their symptoms by regulating the production of dopamine.

The Journal of Translational Medicine 2019 reported a study in which the human umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells were introduced in 10 patients in phase I and IIa clinical trials. The study results show that all the patients experienced a reduction in their PD symptoms and remarkable improvement in motor function.

Although the safety and efficacy of stem cell-based treatments are backed by substantial evidence from scientific studies and reports, patients must seek medical advice from a healthcare professional before getting the treatment.

Read Also: Stem Cell Therapy: A Game-changer For Diabetes Patients

Is Stem Cell Treatment Safe?

Mesenchymal stem cells are used in hundreds of clinical trials, both animal models and humans, because they have an excellent safety profile. The therapy is, therefore, considered safe by scientists and healthcare professionals worldwide.

All the studies indicate no severe or adverse events in patients after stem cell administration. However, it should be ensured that proper treatment protocols and safety procedures are followed during the therapy.

Life Altering Stem Cell Therapy Institute is a trusted, renowned name for stem cell therapy in Mexico that ensures the highest safety standards in all its procedures. At our clinic, a thorough evaluation of the patient’s current condition, disease severity, and medical history is necessary to determine eligibility and approval for the therapy.

Final Takeaway

Medical experts believe that stem cell therapy is a promising alternative to existing treatments of Parkinson’s disease, such as deep brain stimulation and medications (like dopamine-promoter, anti-tremor, cognitive-enhancer, and anti-depressants). These alternatives have long-term side effects and can impact the quality of life.

Stem cells have the power to naturally increase the level of dopamine in the brain by replacing or repairing damaged nerve cells. The stem cells transform and regenerate dopaminergic neurons and use their innate healing capabilities to improve motor function and reduce tremors, thereby eliminating other symptoms of PD.

Want to know whether you are an ideal candidate for stem cell therapy? Book a consultation and connect with the experienced medical team of Mexico’s best stem cell center. Get rid of Parkinson’s disease and restart your journey toward healthier living with the help of stem cells.