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Category: stem cell

24Dec

Many people are considering stem cell treatment to address various conditions, such as autism. If you are one of these people, chances are your mind is already filled with questions. Some people tend to look for answers using the internet. While this can be helpful, you should also clarify your concerns with the clinic where you plan to have the treatment.

Aside from asking for the cost of stem cell therapy for autism, you should also ask for a thorough discussion of the various aspects that are related to the treatment.

1. How much experience does your clinic have?

In the field of medicine, a doctor’s experience is a vital aspect. The more practice a physician has the more chances of a better outcome. As the saying goes, “experience is the best teacher.” Ask the clinic if their doctors have done many procedures involving stem cells. Some people find it hard to ask their service provider this question. However, you should not hesitate because it involves your or your family member’s health.

2. Is your treatment backed up by data and studies?

Many people still lack information and knowledge about stem cell therapy. Use this opportunity to learn more about the procedure. If your child has autism and you are considering stem cell therapy, ask the clinic about the programs they offer. You can also ask for their success rate. Ask them for possible complications or side effects, if there are any.

Some medical facilities have websites that show their history. You can also check out reviews from previous clients to help you decide.

3. Do the clinic’s physicians specialize in the procedure?

Specialization also matters when it comes to physicians. Some doctors have a better understanding and experience than others. Make sure the clinic that you choose has well-trained physicians who have proper certifications.

The cost of stem cell therapy for autism may not be cheap. Thus, you should make sure you are getting your money’s worth.

4. Where does the physician get the cell?

The source of the cells is vital. You can find stem cells in most, if not all, parts of a person’s body. However, not all cells are the same. Ask the physician or the provider where they harvest the stem cells. The most common sources of stem cells for the treatment of autism are the bone marrow and the umbilical cord blood.

5. How does the clinic harvest stem cells?

The technique they use in collecting stem cells is critical. There are several ways to do this process. The method that they use can affect the success of your treatment. For example, the harvesting of stem cells from a person’s bone marrow is called bone marrow aspiration. This procedure requires experience.

Meanwhile, getting umbilical cord blood happens at birth. Experts use a needle attached to a collecting bag and use it to collect the blood.

6. How does the clinic make sure that they put the stem cells where you need them to be?

The physician should know where to put the stem cells and how to do it accurately. You can ask for a visual representation or a thorough discussion to know how they will do the treatment. Choose a clinic that has advanced training and facilities to place the cells in the specific structure that needs it.

7. Is the clinic using drugs or additives that may kill stem cells?

Some medications may end up killing stem cells, including anesthetics, steroids, and other similar medications. Some providers use anesthetics to numb the area where they will conduct the procedure. However, some types of anesthetics can kill stem cells. Ask the clinic if they use medicines that come in contact with the stem cells. It may be unavoidable sometimes. But some anesthetics are safe to use.

Some prescription medications may also affect stem cells negatively. Ask your provider about these.

8. Is the laboratory sophisticated and has complete equipment?

The level of sophistication of a laboratory says a lot about the clinic. A medical facility that has a cell therapy unit may have more equipment than a regular doctor’s office. They may also have the proper devices that allow their doctors to do a more thorough examination.

9. Is the patient a good fit?

A reliable physician will tell you if your child with autism is fit for the procedure or not. There are also requirements and criteria for stem cell therapy. Consult the clinic about this. There may also be additional necessary assessments and consultations to ensure that the patient is a good fit.

22Dec

Stem cell therapy is a treatment shrouded with various controversies in recent years. A lot of naysayers question its safety and effectiveness. However, many medical professionals have realized how helpful it can be in treating various health-related conditions. Many clinics are now offering stem cell treatments.

What Are Stem Cells?

Stem cells are raw materials in the body that generate other cells. If in the proper condition. Stem cells can regenerate and divide to form more cells, which scientists call daughter cells. The daughter cells can either be new stem cells or specialized cells that have specific functions.

The interest in stem cells continues to rise. The reason behind this is that many researchers and medical professionals see the potential of stem cells. They also showed promising results in addressing various conditions.

Now, many parents are wondering how stem cells can help their children who have conditions. One of the most common questions is, can stem cell therapy work for autism? The World Health Organization (WHO) said that autism affects one in 160 children. Thus, it is only natural why more people get interested in stem cell therapy for autism.

Many researchers conduct studies on stem cells for different reasons.

  • They can help us have a better understanding of how diseases develop.
  • They can generate healthy cells and replace cells that do not work properly.
  • Researchers can use stem cells to test new drugs for effectiveness, quality, and safety.

How Does The Stem Cell Therapy Work?

Stem Cell Therapy is also called regenerative medicine. It is because stem cells can promote the repair of dysfunctional, diseased, or injured tissues. Stem cells can grow in laboratories. They can also be frozen. One can also store them in banks. The experts manipulate these stem cells so they can become specific types of specialized cells. They then implant these cells into a patient.

Many doctors have used stem cells and conducted transplants. These procedures aim to replace damaged cells caused by chemotherapy or diseases. There are two procedures that they commonly use. These are transplantation of bone marrow stem cells and transplantation of cord blood stem cells.

Can Stem Cell Therapy Work for Autism?

As stated earlier, this question is one of the main concerns of many parents. Currently, some medical facilities and clinics offer stem cell therapy for autism. If you are wondering if this treatment can help your child with autism, you can check out various studies that have proven its effectiveness.

For example, Duke University, which is in North Carolina in the United States, conducted a study in 2017. A total of 25 children with autism participated. The goal of the study is to help treat the children using their umbilical cord blood, which contained rare stem cells. After the conduct of transfusions, two-thirds of all participants have shown improvements. One patient who participated also reported dramatic improvement. According to her parents, the disorder used to take up 75% of her day. But, after the treatment, it went down to 10%. This medical advancement has given hope to many parents and patients.

People who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD), commonly known as autism, have trouble with their social skills, speech, and non-verbal communication. They also tend to engage in repetitive behaviors.

Many parents of children with autism who have tried stem cell therapy also reported various positive results.

  • Control of anger
  • Reduction of stimming
  • Reduction of behaviors that cause self-injuries
  • Awareness and control of bladder and bowel movements
  • Alleviation of obsessive-compulsive behaviors
  • Normal appetite
  • Became less picky eaters
  • Increase in sociability
  • New self-awareness.

There is no single cure available for ASD. However, there are various alternative treatments that parents can consider to help with the symptoms of autism. Stem cell therapy may be one of those alternative methods. Many parents have recorded positive changes in their children after taking a chance and trying stem cell therapy. You can experience the same thing.

Before trying the treatment, you should also prepare yourself and make sure that your child is eligible. Consult a neuropsychologist and psychiatrist first. You should also consult other medical professionals, such as a geneticist, pediatrician, and neurologist. The best way to go about treatment is to understand every aspect of the procedure. Ask the clinic you have chosen about all requirements and possible effects if there are any.

12Dec

Many individuals have autism. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the prevalence of this disorder seems to be increasing globally. Autism is a range of conditions that begins in childhood and may persist into adulthood.

Through the years, researchers have conducted countless studies to find treatment for autism. One therapy that continues to be a topic of many research studies is stem cell treatment. You might be wondering how does stem cell therapy work for autism, and if it can help.

Autism can limit a child’s capacity to conduct daily activities. It can also have an impact on the social and educational aspects of a person’s life. Some people who have autism can move and live independently. However, there are more severe cases wherein the patient needs lifelong support. Another negative impact of this disorder is the emotional burden on the person who has it and the possible economic burden on their families.

Parents want what is best for their children. If it means trying out new treatments, then they would try it. Stem cell therapy provides an alternative that you can try to help your child who has autism.

History

The idea of using stem cell treatment for autism started with the treatment of cerebral palsy. Meanwhile, stem cell transplants for some metabolic disorders have prompted the study for cerebral palsy.

From 1995 to 2007, a team at Duke University did over 100 cord blood transplants. The subjects were children who have rare metabolic disorders that lead to cognitive or physical impairment and death if left untreated. The results of the study showed that we can now use cord blood transplants to save patients. The positive results include the improvement and the stopping of the decline of cognitive function.

Because of this, many have thought that similar treatment may be able to help those who have neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism and cerebral palsy. Unlike in the treatment of metabolic disorders, children with neurodevelopmental disorders do not have to undergo chemotherapy. However, they may have to receive pre-treatment that aims to prevent any allergic reaction.

Stem cell treatment for cerebral palsy patients was a success. Thus, it has inspired the use of the same therapy for other conditions like autism.

How Does Stem Cell Therapy Work for Autism?

Studies have shown that there is no single cause for autism. Experts and professionals believe that a large number of factors can cause it. Despite this, the world of science has gone a long way.

You may have heard of stem cell therapy, but you may not be aware that it can work for autism. Generally, stem cells replace the cells in a patient’s body that are not working well with cells that can function properly. Inflammation is among the main symptoms found in autism patients. Stem cells can reduce inflammation. Thus, replacing unhealthy cells with healthy ones can help promote the proper functioning of one’s immune system. In turn, it can help reduce the effects of autism.

Sources

To treat autism using stem cells, experts harvest them from the umbilical cord tissue. It is also known as allogenic mesenchymal. Mothers who have had normal and healthy births may donate these human umbilical cords. Experts screen and test them for the possible existence of viruses and bacteria.

These cords are ideal for autism treatment because they allow the administration of uniform doses. They also do not require the harvesting from the patient himself. Some parents are concerned about this and think it can be an invasive procedure to the body of their child with autism.

Another procedure that experts can do is the transplantation of bone marrow stem cells. The patient will be under general anesthesia while the surgeon collects bone marrow from the patient’s ileum bone. The medical professional will take around 50 to 100 ml of bone marrow. After this, they will separate the mononuclear cells.

Generally, most autism treatment processes take around five days. It includes a physical examination and blood tests.

Finding Treatment Facility

Some parents are having a hard time finding a place where they can get stem cell treatment for their child with autism. Access to the treatment may not be as good for some people. That is why others tend to look for medical facilities that offer the treatment even in other countries.

26Nov

Autism is today, more correctly known as Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD. For generations, this was a largely misunderstood condition, due to its size and complexity, and it wasn’t until the 1980s that medical texts even recognized it as a distinct condition on its own. Before that time, some of its symptoms were classified as unique conditions on their own, like Asperger’s Syndrome, while other symptoms were misdiagnosed—and mistreated—as completely different conditions, like schizophrenia.

Today, medical science has a better understanding of both the nature and scope of ASD, and it’s proving to be a far larger, more complex condition that medical professionals initially suspected. While more research is now uncovering more details about this condition, fighting it is still an ongoing battle with many unknowns. Of course, one of the biggest concerns with ASD is, whether it can be cured or not, and some people, having heard of new developments like stem cell therapy, wonder if this might be the answer. But is it? Let’s take a closer look.

What Is ASD?

One of the biggest challenges with tackling ASD is how multi-faceted the disorder is. It’s not purely behavioral, like depression or anorexia. It’s not entirely neurological like cerebral palsy, but it’s not completely organ-related either, like cancer.

Instead, ASD takes a little of all three of these characteristics for its symptoms and adds a vast range of different behaviors, and these behaviors are also at varying intensity levels. This is why there was so much confusion for years about what ASD was, and which symptoms constituted ASD. For example, one common physical symptom ASD is gastrointestinal complications, but medical science is currently unsure as to why GI symptoms are so commonly paired with ASD.

On the other hand, the behavioral symptoms of ASD are so wide and so varied that some of them were thought to be individual conditions. It wasn’t until ASD was formally recognized in the 1980s, for example, that Asperger’s was correctly included as just a variant of ASD and not a distinct condition. Conversely, some symptoms of ASD were so severe in terms of hostility, intensity, or unresponsiveness that ASD patients were sometimes misdiagnosed as being schizophrenic. This misdiagnosis was further complicated by the fact that some schizophrenic treatments, such as prescribing antipsychotics did work, and are still one possible treatment alternative even today.

ASD As A Condition

One of the greatest challenges when it comes to addressing ASD is the fact that little is still known about its causes. There is a definite genetic component to ASD, as someone diagnosed with it can pass the condition on to children. However, even if a person doesn’t have ASD, certain pre-natal and post-natal factors can also cause ASD to manifest. A pregnant woman who contracts rubella, for example, can then give birth to a child that is later diagnosed with ASD.

This means, unfortunately, that like diabetes or asthma, ASD is a lifelong condition. There is no vaccine or surgical technique that be done to make ASD go away. ASD’s various symptoms can, however, be managed. In some cases, a psychological approach works best, such as behavioral therapy. With therapy treatments, and ASD patient recognizes and confronts the issues of concern, such as not looking people in the eye during a conversation, or being unable to tie shoes correctly. Through careful training and positive reinforcement, the ASD patient consciously confronts the symptoms, and trains to overcome them.

The Stem Cell Alternative

So if ASD is a permanent, lifelong condition, with no cure, what do stem cells bring to the table? Stem cells are a very special type of “master cell” that can “reprogram” themselves to become any cell in the body. Whereas hair cells can only reproduce to grow more hair, and skin cells can only create more skin cells, a stem cell can become a hair cell, brain cell, nerve cell, bone cell, or any other type of cell in the body, even ones that normally don’t reproduce in large numbers after birth, like heart or kidney cells. Because of this, stem cells have been used in a treatment known as stem cell therapy, and they have proven to be very effective at fighting some forms of cancer, such as leukemia, which affects blood cells.

While the exact mechanisms are not fully understood, and research continues, stem cell therapy is set to be a promising form of treatment for many other disorders and has already shown some good results with ASD. Some of the symptoms of ASD that therapy may not be able to address, such as hostility, inattentiveness or the ability to focus, are improved through stem cell therapy. This indicates that while stem cell therapy, like other forms of treatment, isn’t a cure, it can be effective at suppressing or eliminating some of the symptoms of ASD that other treatments may not be as effective at addressing.

24Nov

Autism, more correctly referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), has taken generations to be properly understood and diagnosed, and it is only in recent years that a more comprehensive understanding of this disorder has become more common in medical science. That doesn’t mean, however, that ASD is now understood and that there is an effective common cure for its many symptoms.

The sad fact of the matter is that this is a very complex disorder, one with its roots in behavioral, physical, and neurological symptoms, making it difficult to track. In fact, because of ASD’s many behavioral symptoms and the spectrum of number and intensity that those symptoms can appear in, many people with ASD symptoms are were diagnosed as having unique, entirely different conditions.

At one time, for example, Asperger’s Syndrome was thought to be a unique disorder, while some people with ASD were misdiagnosed as being schizophrenic. Today, however, there’s a greater understanding that this huge spectrum of different behavioral symptoms all have a single root cause that allows for multiple forms of expression.

As a result of the huge variance in symptoms for ASD, there are also several different treatments. ASD currently has no known cure. Once someone is diagnosed with it, then, like asthma or diabetes, this is going to be a lifelong condition. However, as with those other conditions, just because there is no cure, that does not mean that this condition can’t be managed.

Treatment Options

There are a variety of different treatments for ASD. For some severe behavioral problems, antipsychotics or other forms of medication may be prescribed to help keep certain tendencies under control. In other cases, psychological treatment, like behavioral therapy, may be the most effective means of consciously teaching someone with ASD to identify, manage, and overcome their symptoms.

Another alternative for treating symptoms is stem cell therapy. This is a technique that has already been well-established for fighting specific types of blood-related cancer, like leukemia. As a result, stem cell therapy is widely regarded as a promising new method for treating many different conditions. However, at the moment, the Food & Drug Administration in the USA only legally recognizes the use of stem cell therapy for leukemia. Usage for other disorders is not currently legal, though they are being researched.

How It Works

Stem cells are a very special, very versatile type of cell that can only be collected through two means. If a family has the foresight after childbirth, the baby’s stem cells can be preserved from the umbilical cord, known as “cord blood,” and this can be cryogenically stored for later use if required years down the road.

The other way to harvest stem cells if no cord blood is available is to collect a less potent version of stem cells that are created and stored in the bone marrow. This requires surgery to facilitate, so is the more complex, invasive method.

Once the stem cells have been collected, they are injected into the patient. This can either be done intravenously, through a typical hypodermic needle in the arm, or some other vein, or it can be done through intrathecal injection into the spine.

The reason that stem cells are only viable in these two ways is because of compatibility. Unlike blood, if stem cells from another person are introduced into a patient, they will be rejected.

The Cost Considerations

Because stem cell therapy for ASD treatment is not legal in countries like the United States, that means the USA neither offers treatment for it nor recognizes medical insurance claims that request coverage for stem cell ASD treatment.

This already means that families interested in stem cell therapy must rely on their savings. On top of this, additional costs must be considered for travel, because while the United States does not have safe, legal medical centers for stem cell therapy for ASD, other countries do.

Mexico in North America, and Georgia, in Eastern Europe, for example, both have modern 21st-century medical facilities, and in both countries, the practice of stem cell therapy for treatment of conditions other than leukemia is completely legal.

The Final Cost

Depending on where you go and what kind of currency fluctuations are at play in the currency market, the cost of the stem cell therapy treatment itself will vary. The average cost of stem cell therapy globally is about USD$12000-$15000, but much of that is dependent on the diagnoses, and the individual patient requirements.

People who come to Georgia for their stem cell therapy treatments can expect to pay, on average, about $USD 12000 + VAT, even for procedures that may involve harvesting bone marrow. However, it’s important to consult medical professionals first before seeking stem cell therapy for autism treatment. Not every ASD symptom is appropriately dealt with through stem cell therapy. Diagnosis and medical recommendations should always be sought before taking this route.

21Nov

Autism Spectrum Disorder, more commonly referred to as ASD or autism, is a very complex condition. For the moment, no cure exists, so it fits into a class of other lifelong conditions, such as diabetes or asthma, where, once a diagnosis is confirmed, an ASD patient will manage those symptoms for the remainder of a lifetime.

However, unlike some conditions such as diabetes, ASD is not something that manifests later in life. Whereas a person can grow up, live an entire childhood, and even part of adulthood free of diabetes, only to get it at an older age, ASD is present in people at, or within a few years of birth. This is why many clinics specialize in the treatment of ASD in children, as observant parents can often bring in even a baby, if there is a suspicion of ASD, and get a diagnosis for final confirmation.

Once a diagnosis has been confirmed, it’s time to plan how the ASD symptoms will be managed. A stem cell therapy clinic is one possibility, but there are some considerations to keep in mind before making this choice.

What Is Stem Cell Therapy?

Stem cell therapy is more correctly thought of like a stem cell transplant. Stem cells in the medical science community have the nickname “master cells” because, unlike normal cells, they can convert themselves to any cell of the human body. Stem cells are produced in abundance during pregnancy, and they are what allow a single, generic fertilized egg to eventually divide and specialize into the various organs like the brain, skin, and lungs that make up a human being.

Once a baby is born, pluripotent stem cells, the cells that made embryo development possible, are no longer available within the human body. However, a less versatile version of the pluripotent stem cell is still produced in the bone marrow and acts as a “factory” to create the many different types of blood cells, but only blood cells.

For stem cell therapy to work, there is a reliance on compatible stem cells, similar to organ transplants. Unlike blood, where only a common blood type is required for a body to accept the transfusion, the human body requires stem cells that are very closely related to the recipient to be accepted. The stem cells a person used during pregnancy, and the stem cells inside a person’s bone marrow, for example, are both compatible since the person in question produced them.

This means that after birth, a family with foresight can request that the stem cells in the remaining fluid of the umbilical cord, known as “cord blood” can be stored for possible later use. For bone marrow, this requires harvesting the stem cells through a surgical procedure, which is a more invasive tactic. If neither of these options is viable, a recipient may accept stem cells from a sibling, if these have been harvested.

What Does Stem Cell Therapy Do?

In its USA approved use, stem cell therapy is most recommended as a form of cancer treatment, specifically leukemia, a type of blood cancer. All cancers work similarly, creating a mutant-defective cell that then replicates at a faster rate than healthy cells with no defect. Eventually, the defective cell population outnumbers the healthy cells, and this is what causes illnesses and, if left untreated, death.

Stem cell therapy introduces healthy stem cells with no defects, that then replicate in a normal way. With proper treatment, this means that healthy reproduction of blood cells resumes, and the defective cells are eventually wiped out.

However, it’s not just cancer where this can be useful. Alzheimer’s, for example, or cerebral palsy, involve damaged cells that normally don’t grow back, such as nerve or brain cells. Stem cell therapy in these cases may eventually replace damaged cells with healthy ones, and could eventually lead to cures for these formally incurable diseases since there was no previous way to replace these cells with working new cells.

The same is true with ASD treatment. There is a neurological component to ASD where some of the symptoms may be caused by abhorrent or deviant nerve cells not properly processing neural signals. The introduction of stem cells, however, may replace or augment these cells with more healthy neurological cells and tissue.

International Treatment

Stem cell therapy clinics are available in most nations with modern medical facilities. Surprisingly, however, the number of available stem cell therapy treatments is more limited in the United States. The Food & Drug Administration is taking a very conservative approach to stem cell therapy, and currently only allows its legal usage in leukemia treatment.

For people that wish to receive stem cell therapy for other conditions, such as Alzheimer’s or ASD, they must seek out stem cell therapy clinics in other countries. The nation of Georgia, for example, has modern, up to date, clinics that specialize in stem cell therapy for ASD.




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