Stem Cell Therapy in Pediatric Neurological Disabilities

Abstract

Pediatric neurological disorders represent a major part of the disabilities worldwide. In over 10 decades of research to find a cure for these disorders, medical science has not been able to repair the underlying brain injury. This chapter focuses on recent advances in the application of stem cells as a therapeutic tool for some of the common neurodevelopmental disorders (cerebral palsy, autism, intellectual disability and muscular dystrophy). The mechanism of action of stem cells in each disorder has been explained. A review of clinical data has been described giving a clear understanding of current status of stem cell therapy in these disorders. Various factors influencing the outcome of stem cell therapy such as different types of cells, different routes of administration and dosage and frequency of transplantation have also been discussed. Our experience of treating these disorders is exhibited in the form of our published data. Use of novel monitoring tools such as MRI MSK and PET-CT scan brain to track the changes occurring at cellular level after stem cell therapy are described. We also highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary approach of combining rehabilitation with stem cell therapy.

Effect of cellular therapy in progression of Becker’s muscular dystrophy: a case study

“… 11 Stem cell transplantation has been proposed as a treatment for such disorders. 7 Cell-based therapies have been attempted to promote muscle regeneration, with the optimism that the host cells will recover the muscle function and pathology by repopulating the muscle. Stem cells were considered favourable for therapeutic applications for their capacity of self-renewal and differentiation potential.…”

“…The MNCs consist of a variety of cells like hematopoietic stem cells, tissue-specific progenitor cells, stromal cells, and specialized blood cells in different stages of development. 7 These cells posses the capability to mobilize and exert their reparative effects at the site of injury. They contribute to neovascularization and increase angiogenesis by producing signaling molecules like vascular endothelial growth factors and fibroblast growth factors (FGF2).…”

“…Cellular Therapy has also been found to be safe and effective for MD 4-6 as well as various other neurodegenerative conditions. 7 …”

Stem Cell Therapy for Neurodegenerative Diseases: How Do Stem Cells Bypass the Blood-Brain Barrier and Home to the Brain?

“…However, entrapment in the lung may shorten the therapeutic life and potential effect of MSCs [ 39 ]. Literature suggests that intramuscular injection is becoming a popular method of MSC delivery, with promising results seen in the treatment of several paediatric neurological disabilities including muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy [ 40 ]. In contrast to the short therapeutic life of MSCs delivered via intravenous injection, intramuscular injection of MSCs could potentially treat both distant or systemic conditions with sustained benefit owing to the longer dwelling time of active secretory cells and has been clinically proven to be safe [ 39 , 41 ].…”

The pluralization of the international: Resistance and alter-standardization in regenerative stem cell medicine

“…None of these results have been published in top international journals, but Sharma has used open-access, pay-to-publish medical journals to publish individual case reports (Sharma et al, 2013a, 2013b, 2013e, 2014a, 2014b), and nonrandomized open-label clinical studies (Sharma et al, 2012, 2013c, 2013d). Sharma has also published an e-book, a collection of 100 individual case reports of patients with muscular dystrophy (Sharma et al, 2011).…”