The Role of Stem Cell Therapy in Stroke Treatment

A stroke is a medical condition in which poor blood flow to the brain leads to the death of brain cells. The two main types of stroke are: ischemic, caused by a lack of blood flow, and hemorrhagic, caused by internal bleeding. Strokes result in parts of the brain becoming unable to function properly.

The signs and symptoms of a stroke include:

●     Loss of movement or sensation on one side of the body

●     Difficulty understanding speech and speaking

●     Dizziness, or feeling like the world is spinning

●     Loss or dimming of vision to one side

In addition to these immediate effects, there can also be long- term medical complications such as pneumonia and loss of bladder or bowel control. These symptoms of stroke can be permanent.

Treatments like rehabilitation, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychotherapy, speech and language therapy are used to improve the muscle coordination, speech and cognitive functions. Complete recovery is not common but not impossible and most patients improve over time with a healthy lifestyle, various therapies, motivation and emotional support from family members and friends.

Stroke Stem Cell Treatment:

In the last few years, scientists and researchers have been attempting to develop new approaches to stroke treatment which will be able to heal the underlying brain damage that is inflicted during a stroke. One of these new approaches is stem cell therapy. Stem cell therapy means using stem cells to heal disorders or conditions in the body.

A centre of stem cell research and treatment located in Mumbai, NeuroGen Brain and Spine Institute is one of the places where stem cell stroke treatment can be done in India. Over 150 patients with stroke have been given stem cell therapy at the NeuroGen Hospital. Mild to significant improvements in their symptoms were observed in over 96 percent of the patients as a result of stem cell stroke treatment.

Stem cell therapy is extremely promising procedures which can absolutely help patients recover after a stroke. Stem cell stroke treatment works when the adult stem cells harvested from the bone marrow of the patient are transplanted into the brain tissue around the damaged areas. The cells then promote the restoration and regeneration of healthy brain cells, helping to bring back functionality into the damaged portions of the brain.

Many scientists and researchers now believe that stem cell therapy has huge potential for improving the quality of life of people affected by stroke.

All you need to know about stem cell stroke treatment

A stroke occurs when the normal blood supply to the brain is obstructed. This occurs due to a blockage in the blood vessel that supplies blood to the brain. Medical experts have stressedto giveimmediate medicalaid tothe person who has suffered a stroke. Delay in getting a proper diagnosis or treatment can result in life-threatening complications.

How to identify a stroke?

Insufficient blood supply to the brain results in some common symptoms, such as:

·         Weakening of face, arm or leg on one side (right or left)

·         Loss or dimmed vision in one or both the eyes

·         Unable to comprehend

·         Loss of speech

·         Severe bouts of headache

·         Loss of balance resulting in abnormal gait

A stroke affects the body’s functions regulated by neurological activity, such as perception, sensorimot or functions, emotions, memory or intelligence, behaviour, and speech.

What are the conventional treatments for stroke?

In case a person suffers stroke, the initial treatment is toprovide oxygen supply and intravenous drip to help the patient restore the fluid level in his/her body.

Treatment for stroke depends on the specific symptoms:

·         An ischemic stroke is treated by administering an aspirin to the patient which helps the stroke from recurring.

·         In case the stroke is caused due to a blood clot, then blood-thinning medications help to dissolve the clot and prevent the onset of paralysis.

·         In case ablocked artery in the neck causes a stroke, a surgical procedure called ‘carotid endarterectomy’ is performed. This helps in preventing another stroke.

Delayed treatment can lead to permanent brain damage and disability. Conventional treatment for strokes may include physiotherapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy, to help the patients regain marginal abilities.

What is stem cell stroke treatment?

Stem cell for stroke treatment is an innovative and effective therapyfor recovering the lost abilities caused by a stroke. Stem cells are able to differentiate and merge with several types of cells in the body and hasten the healing effect. Mesenchymal stem cells have shown immense promise ofrecovery in stroke treatment.

When treated at expert centres, such as NeuroGen Brain and Spine Institute in Mumbai, recovering from stroke using stem cell treatment shows remarkable improvement. 

What is Stroke and How To Treat it With Stem Cells?

Stroke is a serious kind of condition and is actually a 'brain attack' that can happen to anyone and can occur anytime. The extent of the effect of stroke on the patient depends upon its location where it has occurred in the brain and the level of damage. A minor problem such as weakness in arms or legs can be temporary and treated early. But a major stroke can be quite damaging as it can paralyze the patient on one side of the body and can affect the ability to speak.

What happens when a person has stroke

Stroke is caused due to the blockage of blood supply in the brain. Within a few minutes, the brain cells will die. There are several kinds of strokes that occur in the brain. Some of these occur due to the blockage of the blood vessels, while some occur due to breakage and bleeding in the brain. Other types occur when the supply is interrupted briefly. Immediate treatment is often the best option to treat a person with stroke. There are symptoms such as weakness in the body parts or trouble speaking or dizziness and loss of balance and severe headache. One should immediately go to the doctor for further treatment.

Stem cell treatment for stroke

Mesenchymal stem cells have proved to be quite useful for stroke. The generation of mononuclear fraction consists of cells that emit cytokines and trophic factors. These factors help to generate blood supply, neuroregeneration, and neuroprotection in the damaged areas of the brain. At NeuroGen Brain and Spine institute in Mumbai, India, stem cell stroke treatment has been successfully carried out by the experts who are well experienced in stem cell stroke treatment. The treatment using mesenchymal stem cells can be done without any invasive operations and has easy procedures as well.

Using the patient's own bone marrow cells can avert all the immunity related issues as well. At the institute, care is taken to help patients gain strength to get back to normal as soon as possible. Over 100 patients have been treated here with positive results, and today they have a lot of improvement in their living conditions. Stroke stem cell treatment is possible here with the total dedication and commitment of the doctors and the team of experts. Besides, patients are provided proper rehabilitation program by therapists who carry out several therapies such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and more. Many patients have shown tremendous improvement in the movements and resumed normal activities as well.

Stem Cells: The Best Treatment For Stroke

A stroke occurs because of a problem that disrupts the blood supply to the brain. The blood supply through the blood vessels may get disrupted, resulting in Ischemic Stroke. Sometimes there may be internal bleeding inside the brain areas, causing hemorrhagic stroke. In either of the cases, the brain cells die in large numbers. Ischemic stroke is the most common form of stroke, during which the brain suffers from both nutrient and oxygen deficiency. Stroke symptoms are evident in the form of a feeling that the world is spinning, problems associated with speaking or understanding, inability to move, loss of vision etc.

Stem Cell Stroke Treatment: The Best Option For Treating Stroke

The autologous stem cells derived and obtained from the bone marrow are transplanted into the body of the patient to induce functional recovery.  

Stem cell stroke treatment has below-given benefits.

Repair

The therapeutic cells, once transplanted, secrete the trophic factors that stimulate the endogenous mechanism, for initiating brain repair. This also makes use of the repair-inducing properties of the stem cells.

No Side Effects or Immune Rejection Response

There are no ethical issues involved with the use of bone marrow-derived regenerative cells. These cells are easily accepted by the body and do not suffer from host immune rejection. Stem cell therapy is not life threatening and generates no side effects.

Establishment of New Neural Maps and Improved Impulse Transmission

The regenerative cells enhance the brain plasticity and provide for the establishment of new neuronal maps (motor re-mapping). Cell mass transplantation increases the efferent and afferent connections between different injury sites. Hence the transmission of nerve impulses is promoted. The existing synapses (points where the 2 nerve cells join) are strengthened, silent synapses are reactivated, and the process of impulse transmission resumes to a greater extent.

Improved Angiogenesis

The unique cells also provide for greater angiogenesis or generation of new blood vessels. Hence the therapy provides for improving oxygen flow to all parts of the brain.

Lowering of Inflammation

Stem cells contribute towards lowering of inflammation. These cells help reduce leukocyte infiltration in the injured brain areas as well.

Creating Mass of Healthy Cells

The transplanted cells enhance and improve the process of endogenous Neuro-genesis. Stem cells employ different progenitor cells for enhancing Vascularization. Hence the regenerative cells directly contribute towards creating the mass of healthy neural cells in the injured brain areas.

Apart from stroke treatment, autism stem cell treatment is also available. It is carried out at leading healthcare institutes like Neurogen Brain and Spine Institute (NGBSI), autism stem cell treatment is considered to be the best treatment for the disease, as it addresses the root cause of the problem, through many different ways. Bedridden patients are able to have a much better quality of life, post stem cell therapy.

Advantages of Stem Cell Therapy For Spinal Cord Injury

An injury to the spinal cord results in the loss of neurons or nervous tissues. In the aftermath of SCI, there is a loss of sensory and motor functions. The rehabilitation programs and other treatment methods of stem cell injury (SCI) used till now couldn’t help restore the loss of functionalities. Stem cells have unique renewal and differentiation capabilities, and can provide for repair of the injured spinal cord. Spinal cord injury treatment today uses the unique properties of the cells. The cells can be redirected to form the glial and the neural cells. Hence, they can replace the lost neurons.
 

There are also a number of other benefits and advantages of stem cell spinal cord injury treatment. 

These are given below.
 

● Stem cells are totipotent, which means that they can differentiate and divide to form any kind of specialized cells, including neural cells. This property of stem cells has great benefits for people suffering from spinal cord injury.
 

● They  secrete certain growth factors that provide for damage control, neural regeneration and regeneration of the neural axons, which are important for transmitting neural signals.
 

● Stem cells or the neural progenitor cells offer protection against excitotoxicity. These cells also offer protection against cellular death because of other adverse mechanisms.
 

● They  have the neuroprotective effect and create a better and healthier environment for cells.
 

● They promote the preservation of axons and hence restore the lost functions of the neural cells, in the aftermath of stem cell injury.
 

● They can lower inflammation and possess immune modulation features. These cells can stimulate the process of cellular regeneration also.
 

● They can be easily transplanted multiple times during the day, in specific and uniform dosage, all of which contain high cell counts.
 

● The MSCs or mesenchymal stem cells do not face the issue of immune-system rejection. Hence there is no necessity of HLA or Human Leukocyte Antigen matching.
 

Leading health care institutions including NeuroGen Brain and Spine Research Institute (located in Mumbai, India) offer stem cell therapy for SCI. Expert health care practitioners at the institution also provide stem cell stroke treatment and stem cell treatment for neurological disorders like Autism and Dementia, among others. Post stem cell therapy; the SCI patients show improvement in areas like trunk control, balancing, posture control, sensation, spasticity, and bladder control, and in areas of postural hypotension as well. Stem cell treatment also improves on the paralysis condition, and patients affected by quadriplegia and paraplegia show marked clinical improvements post therapy.