The Unique Properties Of Stem Cells

A number of neurological disorders cause neural damages. Stem cells can replace the damaged cells of the nervous system. Hence, stem cell treatment can bring relief to patients who suffer from neurological disorders like Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Dementia, and Autism, among other neurodegenerative diseases. Stem cells are also called as reparative or regenerative medicine, as they also provide for damage control and infuse new life into the damaged and aging cells by secreting growth factors, once transplanted into the body.
 

Why are stem cells important for therapeutic purposes
 

Stem cells are basically unspecialized cells and can easily renew themselves for long time periods. They can also be grown and processed in vitro. They can differentiate to assume the functions that can only be carried out by the specialized cells, like the neurons or neuron cells, the skeletal, muscular cells, and the blood cells. New research for stem cell treatment also points out that the stem cells can be processed to provide to them insulin producing capabilities. Hence, once inside the human body, the stem cells would be able to secrete insulin, a hormone absence of which causes Diabetes Mellitus, a disease affecting millions of people.
 

Stem Cell Research
 

Scientists and physicians who work on stem cell research work mostly on 2 kinds of stem cells viz. the animal embryonic stem cells and the adult stem cells. The first stem cells were derived from mouse, around 20 years ago. Human embryonic stem cells are derived from human embryos. They are donated for research after being created through in-vitro fertilization.
 

The Unique Properties of Stem Cells
 

● Stem cells are unspecialized

Stem cells do not possess any kind of tissue-specific structures and so do not perform specialized functions initially.
 

● Stem cells can renew themselves for longer time periods

The muscle, cells, blood cells or the nerve cells found inside the human body do not replicate. In contrast, the stem cells can replicate a number of times through a process called as proliferation.
 

● Stem cells can differentiate to form specialized cells

The unspecialized stem cells and multiply and differentiate to form specialized cells. Both internal and external factors contribute to stem cell differentiation. Genes, secretion of certain chemicals from the cells of the adjoining environment, physical contact with body’s neighboring cells and other molecules of the cellular environment are responsible for specialization.

● Stem cells of one kind can give rise to stem cells of other kinds

Stem cells from one kind of tissue can give rise to cells and tissues having entirely different kinds of specialized functions. For instance, stem cells of the bone marrow that form the blood vessels can be processed and programmed to form neural cells or the cells of the nervous system.

Stem cell treatment for spinal cord injury and for autism and dementia, among other neurological and muscular diseases, is now being actively carried out at leading health care and stem cell therapy institutions like Neurogen Brain and Spine Institute. Soon stem cell therapy will also be able to provide relief to patients who suffer from diabetes mellitus and other diseases incurable as of now.

Stem Cell Research For Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury involves damage to CNS areas that can cause impairment of major functions like sensation, movement and muscle control. A spinal cord injury or SCI is most commonly caused by motor accidents, falls and sports injuries among other causes. Till now patients who suffered from SCI were managed through physical therapies, occupational therapies and other kinds of rehabilitative programs.

Stem Cells

Stem cells are being investigated for their positive role that they can play in treating SCI and other neurological diseases. Stem cell treatment for spinal cord injury can provide for the better muscular control, incontinence and better sexual functionality in those who suffer from SCI.

Stem cells are found in different parts of the body and can be obtained from both donor and patient body for transplantation.  Stem cells that are used for treating patients with SCI can be derived from allogenic mesenchymal cells, bone marrow, adipose tissue or from umbilical cords.

Once obtained from the patient or donor body, stem cells are tested in a lab for their quality and for the presence of bacterial and microbial contaminants. Cells that are derived from the umbilical cords are also screened before being administered to the patients.

Benefits of Stem Cell Treatment For Spinal Cord Injury

Stem cells are now being actively used for treating patients with SCI in leading healthcare institutions like Neurogen Brain and Spine Research Institute. Once transplanted, stem cells offer therapeutic benefits like:

● Replacement of the injured nerve cells.

● Generation of new cells that can support the myelin nerve sheath and can stimulate the growth of the damaged axons.

● Protection of the other cells from damages, by releasing of certain growth factors and other repair inducing substances.

● Prevention of injury and damage spread by providing anti-inflammatory benefits.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells

The mesenchymal stem cells or the MSCs are also called as the stromal stem cells. These cells have been found to provide protection to the damaged cells and were also able to induce growth in the injured cells, in the lab studies. When transplanted to the affected areas in SCI patients, the stem cells exert the same beneficial therapeutic effects and provide for better recovery.

Embryonic Stem Cells

Embryonic stem cells are found to be safe in use in humans. Their use does not create any side effects. These cells can form the myelin sheath that covers the axons. They act as precursors of oligodendrocytes, cells found in the CNS system that form axon myelinating sheath.

Stem cells are being used for the treatment of cerebral palsy, autism, dementia and other neurodegenerative disorders as well. They have tremendous benefits and are the future of regenerative medicine.

What To Look For in A Health Care Institution Offering Stem Cell Therapy

Stem cell therapy at leading healthcare institutions like NeuroGen lasts for a week. Apart from stem cell therapy, a complete neuro rehabilitation program is also applied and provided to the patient. Under the rehabilitation program, there are a number of therapeutic procedures including physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, uro-rehabilitation, psychological counseling, bedsore management and sexual management.

The steps involved in stem cell therapy include: 

1. Procurement of stem cells from bone marrow through a bone marrow aspiration process concluded in the operational theater.

2. Separating and Purification of Stem cells within the laboratory.

3. Transplantation of the stem cells to the given or the desired location of the patient’s body.

The stem cell therapy usually lasts for a week.  During the aftermath of the period, the patient is also given proper care. The patient is provided with more fluid so that he/she can avoid a spinal headache and is also looked after in other ways.

Complete Rehabilitation

The aim of the rehabilitation therapy and program is to turn the disabled person into a differently-able person. A team of occupational therapist, physiotherapist, speech therapist, urologist, neuro psychologist, and neuro physician provides different therapeutic procedures so that the patient’s health gets improved in a number of ways.

Facility

While choosing the perfect stem cell therapy hospital and health care center, it is very important to look at the amenities and facilities provided by the hospital. The treatment may span for a whole week, and caregivers would also be required to stay at the treatment center. That is why the best stem cell therapy institutes in India like NeuroGen Brain and Spine Research Institute offer all the required facilities to caregivers and patients alike. They offer accommodation with AC, refrigerator, bathroom and other common yet essential amenities so that the stay is not uncomfortable for care givers. The better hospitals also assist international patients and care givers by offering them Visa assistance and other perks. They have a full-fledged stem cell laboratory, modern operation theaters, and other modern amenities, and are a one-stop destination for complete care and stem cell therapy for neurological diseases.

Follow Up

After a weeklong therapeutic procedure, the patient is discharged from the hospital. He/she is advised having a follow-up therapeutic appointment after 3 months or so. Through the follow-up, the physicians and doctors can track the recovery and improvement of the patient.

Stem cell treatment for Autism and other neurological disorders is quite easily available and affordable now. Patients from across the world come to the finest of facilities in India. Post stem cell therapy and rehabilitation program; the patients show marked improvement in their motor, neural and other functions.