Cerebral palsy therapy with stem cells

Improvements in the treatment of cerebral palsy using stem cell therapy continue to progress in the right direction. There is no absolute cure available at this moment, and the stem cell program designed by Future Clinic medical center has been developed to improve the conditions and symptoms of children suffering with cerebral palsy.

What is cerebral palsy?

Commonly referred to as CP, cerebral palsy affects the normal movement of different parts of the body and has several degrees of severity. The term “cerebral” speaks of the brain’s cerebrum, a part of the brain that controls motor functions whereas “palsy” refers to paralysis of voluntary movement in specific body parts.
The cerebrum in the brain regulates all types of motor functions that allow you to live independently. Motor functions can be either voluntary or involuntary. When the cerebrum is injured, both voluntary and involuntary fail to function properly hence presenting a range of challenges related to walking, talking or even handling simple everyday tasks independently.

Facts and statistics about cerebral palsy

• Approximately two in every three people with CP can move from one place to another; while some kids with CP need mobility aids, most of them can walk with some difficulty but independently
• Three in four patients can verbally communicate; more often than not assistive devices are used to improve hearing and speech
• Despite the fact that the severity and symptoms vary from patient to patient, most people with this condition can live fulfilling lives.
• There are four types of CP: ataxic, spastic, athetoid/dyskinetic and mixed
• Hereditary cerebral palsy is very rare; approximately 1 percent of people suffering from cerebral palsy will have a relative with the disorder

What causes cerebral palsy?

CP is caused by deformity or interruption in the brain development, normally before the child is delivered. In most cases, the exact cause remains unknown but factors that deter brain development include:

• Maternal infection; German measles, chicken pox, herpes toxoplasmosis or any other viral ailment of the mother in early pregnancy
• Gene’s mutations
• Fetal stroke
• Infant infection that leads to inflammation in/around the brain
• Prolonged loss of oxygen (asphyxia) during the perinatal period or delivery process
• Birth injury caused by medical negligence

Risk factors of cerebral palsy

• Premature birth, less than 37 weeks
• Low birth weight (too tiny for gestational age)
• Inability of the placenta to provide the fetus with nutrients and oxygen
• RH/ABO blood type incompatibility between the mother and the infant
• Breech birth
• Severe jaundice shortly after delivery
• Thrombophilia (blood clotting challenges)
• Twins, triplets, and multiple births

Symptoms of cerebral palsy

The first sign parents should seek is whether their baby is meeting or missing any crucial developmental milestones.
Other symptoms include:

• Movement challenges with one side of the body
• Stiff muscles
• Drooling
• Challenges sucking or swallowing
• Seizures
• Lack of balance and coordination
• Delayed motor skill development and growth
• Gastrointestinal issues

Cerebral palsy stem cell research

Research into cerebral palsy stem cell therapy is still in its initial stages and currently there is no cure available.
This is because existing treatments focus primarily on the damaged cells and how to reduce the symptoms; treating CP is very challenging because it implicates the damage of several types of brain cells.
Researchers continue to contribute toward future advancements in stem cell technology, with the objective of protecting and restoring damaged cells before these cells are completely lost.

Replacing lost cells in the brain is another brilliant idea where neural precursor cells (these are cells found in the brain and spinal cord) are to be transplanted into CP patients. Nevertheless, if this ever works, it will be a long-term goal; it is extremely challenging and risky to correctly connect new cell transplanted in the brain with a complex network of millions of intersected cells transmitting signals around the brain.

According to Cerebral Palsy International Research Foundation (CPIRF), there are four types of stem cells used while investigating neonatal trauma and injuries in animals, namely:

1. Natural stem cells
2. Induced pluripotent stem cells (IPs)
3. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC)
4. Umbilical cord stem cells

Cerebral Palsy Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) are one of the most studied types of stem cells to treat cerebral palsy patients.

The potential of mesenchymal stem cells are:

(1) They reduce the in ammatory response and avoid secondary brain lesion.
(2) Differentiate into neurons, astrocyte, microglia, and oligodendrocyte, which help to repair myelin sheath, promoting axon regeneration, and increasing transmission of nerve impulses.
(3) Produce the cytokines and growth factors, such as glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrohin 3 (NT-3), neurotrohin 4/5 (NT 4/5) which promote brain neuroprotection.
(4) Generate new vessels, thereby increasing the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to injured and hypoxic tissue.
(5) Reduce the intrinsic cell apoptosis.

Most CP patients treated with MSCs have shown noticeable signs of improvement, such as: regained motor development and coordination, regained eyesight, improved mental retardation, increased muscle strength, a decrease in spasticity and improved muscle tone in hypotonic patients. There’s also a visible improvement in balance and coordination, and gross motor skills.

The cells used demonstrate high immune-modulatory and anti-inflammatory activity, and strong trophic effect stimulating brain tissue regeneration.

Future Clinic CP Treatment Program

Treatment session 1: duration 14 days

100,000,000 cells
8 peptide Injections (condition specific)
Specific daily Enzyme injection (during the treatment course and to take home for 3 month supply injection course, if required)
Daily IV or acupuncture medical laser therapy
IV Oxygen therapy
Physical therapy
Health and Screening: physical and neurological examination & comprehensive blood analysis
3 month supply of: condition specific supplement

The 2 follow up programs:

Includes half the number of cells and supportive therapies given. These follow ups are required at the 3 & 9 months stage after the first treatment.