Simple, safe and effective treatment modality as it focuses on neurological repair
Recent publications have also shown the effectiveness of Stem Cell Therapy in Autism and this has opened up an entire new world of possible treatment options for these children. Not only have patients shown dramatic clinical improvements after stem cell therapy but post treatment investigations such as PET CT scans of the brain have shown objective improvements in the brain functions of these patients. Physiotherapists have played an important role in the post stem cell therapy rehabilitation of different neurological conditions.
NeuroGen Brain & Spine Institute has also published a clinical study of 32 patients in the international journal Stem Cells International. The results published in this paper demonstrated that autologous bone marrow stem cells are safe and efficacious in autism. These patients showed improved neurological functions which were recorded on objective scales such as ISAA and CGI. Improvement in brain metabolism was also observed in PET and CT scans.
Dr Nandini Gokulchandran Deputy Director & Head Medical Services, NeuroGen Brain & Spine Institute said, “Autism causes impairments in higher mental functions and causes the children to be hyperactive and aggressive and so affects their social interactions. Speech, language and communication skill are severely impaired. These children cannot go to normal schools and are completely dependent on parents and caretakers for activities of daily living. Having a child with Autism severely affects the emotional, social and financial aspects of the entire family. It is more commonly observed in boys than girls. The onset of symptoms is generally noted before the age of three years in children, although in many cases it is noticed at a much older age. The exact etiology and pathophysiology remains poorly understood, however research has pointed to several possible factors, like genetics (heredity); metabolic or neurological factors, certain types of infections, prenatal or post natal environment, etc.”
Dr Alok Sharma Professor & Head of Neurosurgery, LTMG Hospital & LTM Medical College, Sion Mumbai and Director NeuroGen Brain & Spine Institute said, “There is no proven cure yet for Autism and it requires chronic lifelong management. Currently, the only treatment options available for autism are behavioral, nutritional, sensory and some symptomatic medical interventions. These interventions facilitate development and learning, promoting socialisation, self awareness, reducing maladaptive behaviors and educating and supporting families. The above mentioned conventional treatments are only able to reduce the symptoms temporarily however; it doesn’t help the child get into the mainstream.“
Dr Sharma further said, “The diagnosis is mainly clinical and there is no objective test. Also, there are no medicines available to address the core neuropathology. However, recently stem cell therapy has made a major breakthrough in the field of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorder as it directly focuses on neurological repair. It is emerging as one of the newer treatment options for autism. This treatment has the potential to repair the damaged neural tissue at molecular, structural and functional level. Stem cells have the capacity to address the underlying core neuropathology of autism viz. hypoperfusion and immune dysregulation via neuroprotection, neuromodulation and neurorestoration. Release of neurotrophic growth factors, stimulation of angiogenesis and reperfusion of hypoxic areas are other ways that stem cells carry out their regenerative functions. These cells also secrete several biomolecules with anti-inflammatory properties through paracrine effect. This helps to establish the equilibrium in the immune system alterations and activate endogenous repair mechanisms in autism. Thus, stem cells are capable of suppressing the pathological immune responses as well as stimulating neovascularisation. There are some case reports and case series, which are recently published and have shown beneficial effects of cellular therapy.”
EH News Bureau
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