Stem Cell Therapy
for Neurological Disorders

Introduction to Neurological Disorders

Many people, both the young and the old, are suffering from neurological disorders all over the world. These are health conditions that affect the brain, nervous, and central system. There are different types of neurological disorders, and the most common ones include:

  • Migraines
  • Epilepsy
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Multiple sclerosis.
  • Alzheimer’s disease, among others.

Neurological disorders are caused by various factors such as genetics, lifestyle, physical injuries, nutrition, infections, and environmental influences. In case they are not treated on time, they can affect the entire neurological pathways that, in turn, affects the brain functionality. The conventional method that has been used for treatment to correct these neurological disorders for a long time is surgery.

Our Take

One thing to note about corrective surgery for neurological conditions is that it is costly, takes time, and has a lot of complications that can cause permanent damages to the brain. This has forced patients suffering from neurological disorders to live in fear and anxiety.

However, there is hope for neurological disorder patients because a new treatment has been discovered. Research has proven that stem cell therapy is very effective in improving the conditions of patients affected by neurological disorders. Stem cell therapy uses the natural body mechanism to fight diseases by replacing the damaged tissues with the new healthy ones. Stem cells can be found in different parts of the body, including the brain. All the stem cells have the same properties of multipotentiality and self-renewal.

Reasons For Using Stem Cells For Neurological Disorders Treatment

  • They are harvested from the umbilical cord of top-grade sources hence reducing the risks of rejection and minimize the complications.
  • The cells are easy to manipulate using a viral and non-viral gene transfer method.
  • The cells can integrate into normal brain cytoarchitecture.
  • The ability to multiply into several cells even when derived from a limited source.
  • When they are implanted in the adult CNS, they can migrate and disseminate.

Stem Cells For Treating Neurological Disorders

Stem cells have been proven to cure both acute and chronic neurological disorders that are characterized by loss and irreversible neural damage. The disorders are triggered when there is a loss of glial cells in the central nervous system. Doctors use umbilical cord-derived stem cells to improve a patient’s health and treat most of the neurological disorders. The commonly used cells are the mesenchymal stem cells, which are obtained from the Wharton’s Jelly of the human umbilical cord. The mesenchymal stem cells help in improving the symptoms of major neurological conditions, including visual disturbances, loss of balance, tremors, paralysis, poor coordination, slurred speech, extreme fatigue, among others.

How Mesenchymal Stem Cells Work For Neurological Disorders

When the mesenchymal stem cells are introduced in the brain, they can survive and migrate. The cells are injected in the affected sites of the brain; they then replace the damaged neuronal and glial cells. This process promotes functional and biological restoration depending on the properties of the cell’s self-renewal and the ability to grow into new healthy cells.  Stem cell therapy takes a short time to show the result of approximately two to six weeks depending on the type of neurological type you are suffering from.

Our research studies on immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive properties of the mesenchymal stem cells show that they can escape the activated T cells and exert immunomodulation, which results from soluble factors such as indoleamine, galectin, and dioxygenase. The process is commonly known as priming or licensing. Besides, mesenchymal stem cells, similar to leukocytes based on the cytokine responsiveness and the ability for transendothelial migration, exert therapeutic properties. Also, mesenchymal stem cells have neuroprotective and neurorestorative tissues repair properties, which is exhibited through neurogenic differentiation, replacement of cells, and neurogenic factors secretion. Notably, mesenchymal stem cells can transmigrate across the microvascular endothelial cells of the brain’s monolayers; this is majorly through the intercellular caps between the microvascular endothelial cells of the brain that are transiently formed. This migratory ability and elucidation mechanisms of mesenchymal stem cells from Wharton’s Jelly is what StemFinityCord medical practitioners bank on to broaden the efficacy of the neurological disease cellular treatment. 

Other Stem Cells Used For Treating Neurological Disorders However Not Used At StemFinityCord

  1. Embryonic stem cells

Embryonic stem cells are harvested from the inner cell mass of the embryonic blastula. They are pluripotent and posses’ high proliferation potential. These cells can differentiate into different neurons, including dopaminergic neurons. After the human embryonic stem cells have been separated, they are cultured with enrichment for neuronal lineage through the exposure of mitogens and powerful growth factors. When these cells are introduced in the brain, they widely mitigate and spread to the affected site where they replace the damaged cells and regrow. 

  1. Embryonic neural stem cells (NSCs)

Embryonic neural stem cells are derived from the neuroepithelium of the developing embryo. These cells respond to both the fibroblast growth factors (FGF2) and the epidermal growth factor (EGE). The research has found out that when the ENPs are exposed to the sonic hedgehog, it increases the production of dopaminergic neurons, although not all the cells have the same response.

  1. Adults neural precursor cells

NPCs are found in indifferent sites, including the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus and the subependymal layer of the ventricular zone. These cells have different functions in adult CNS because of their characteristics of mature neurons with neurophysiological properties. They also can integrate into neuronal networks with behavioural effects and functional synaptic. These cells are effective in treating various neurological disorders. 

We Are Here For You

Many types of neurological disorders affect individuals daily. Using stem cell therapy to treat such conditions requires you to get the best medical facility with a trusted professional. If you are looking for such medical care, then we are here for you. At StemFinityCord, we have qualified personnel that has specified in stem cell treatment. We educate our clients deep on their conditions and help them in making the right decisions that will ensure they got the right treatment for their condition. We are always here whenever you need any assistance. In case of any inquiry, contact us, and let’s get started in getting you back on your feet using the most effective and tolerant method of treatment.

References
  • Aharonowiz, M., Einstein, O., Fainstein, N., Lassmann, H., Reubinoff, B., and Ben-Hur, T. (2008). Neuroprotective effect of transplanted human embryonic stem cell-derived neural precursors in an animal model of multiple sclerosis. Retrieved April 14, 2020.

  • British Medical Bulletin. (2012). Neurological disorders and the potential role of stem cells as a therapy. Retrieve April 14, 2020
    Drela K, Siedlecka P, Sarnowska A, Domanska-Janik K (2013) Human mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of neurological diseases. Retrieved April 2020.

  • Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry. Stem cells and neurological disease. Retrieved April 14, 2020.

  • World Health Organization. (2016). What are Neurological disorders? Retrieved April 13, 2020.
    Mukai. T, Tojo. A & Inoue. T. N. (2018). Mesenchymal stromaal cells as a potential therapeutic for neurological disorders. Regenerative Therapy. Elsevier. Retrieved May 22, 2020.