NEURODEGENERATIVE CONDITIONS

Our therapeutic program approaches these medical conditions by involving the transplantation of stem cells, the concept of treatment primarily focuses on the replacement of lost neurons and the restoration of neural tissue structure.

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), such as Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease are characterized clinically by their subtle onset but chronic progression and involve the degeneration of defined neuronal phenotypes in the central nervous system (CNS).

Infusing Highly concentrated cells induces neuroprotection that involves anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, and that neurotrophic factors act through paracrine and/or autocrine interactions between transplanted Culture-expanded cells and the neural microenvironment.

In recent years, numerous studies have shown that stem cell transplantation elicits neurogenesis and angiogenesis by releasing neuroprotective factors brain- derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF)

Experience our Individually-Center approach for deep regeneration and wellbeing through our leading-edge cellular therapies

Parkinson’s disease

In Parkinson’s disease, certain nerve cells (neurons) in the brain gradually break down or die. Many of the symptoms are due to a loss of neurons that produce a chemical messenger in your brain called dopamine. When dopamine levels decrease, it causes abnormal brain activity, leading to symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

The cause of Parkinson’s disease is unknown, but several factors appear to play a role, including:

Your genes. Researchers have identified specific genetic mutations that can cause Parkinson’s disease. But these are uncommon except in rare cases with many family members affected by Parkinson’s disease.

However, certain gene variations appear to increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease but with a relatively small risk of Parkinson’s disease for each of these genetic markers.

Environmental triggers. Exposure to certain toxins or environmental factors may increase the risk of later Parkinson’s disease, but the risk is relatively small.

Researchers have also noted that many changes occur in the brains of people with Parkinson’s disease, although it’s not clear why these changes occur. These changes include:

The presence of Lewy bodies. Clumps of specific substances within brain cells are microscopic markers of Parkinson’s disease. These are called Lewy bodies, and researchers believe these Lewy bodies hold an important clue to the cause of Parkinson’s disease.

Alpha-synuclein is found within Lewy bodies. Although many substances are found within Lewy bodies, scientists believe an important one is the natural and widespread protein called alpha-synuclein (a-synuclein).

It’s found in all Lewy bodies in a clumped form that cells can’t break down. This is currently an important focus among Parkinson’s disease researchers.

Alzheimer’s disease

Scientists believe that for most people, Alzheimer’s disease is caused by a combination of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors that affect the brain over time.

Less than 1 percent of the time, Alzheimer’s is caused by specific genetic changes that virtually guarantee a person will develop the disease. These rare occurrences usually result in disease onset in middle age.

The exact causes of Alzheimer’s disease aren’t fully understood, but at its core are problems with brain proteins that fail to function normally, disrupt the work of brain cells (neurons) and unleash a series of toxic events. Neurons are damaged, lose connections to each other and eventually die.

The damage most often starts in the region of the brain that controls memory, but the process begins years before the first symptoms. The loss of neurons spreads in a somewhat predictable pattern to other regions of the brain. By the late stage of the disease, the brain has shrunk significantly.

Researchers are focused on the role of two proteins:
Plaques. Beta-amyloid is a leftover fragment of a larger protein. When these fragments cluster together, they appear to have a toxic effect on neurons and to disrupt cell-to-cell communication. These clusters form larger deposits called amyloid plaques, which also include other cellular debris.

Tangles. Tau proteins play a part in a neuron’s internal support and transport system to carry nutrients and other essential materials. In Alzheimer’s disease, tau proteins change shape and organize themselves into structures called neurofibrillary tangles. The tangles disrupt the transport system and are toxic to cells.

Huntington’s disease

Huntington’s disease is caused by an inherited defect in a single gene. Huntington’s disease is an autosomal dominant disorder, which means that a person needs only one copy of the defective gene to develop the disorder.

With the exception of genes on the sex chromosomes, a person inherits two copies of every gene — one copy from each parent.

A parent with a defective gene could pass along the defective copy of the gene or the healthy copy.

Each child in the family, therefore, has a 50 percent chance of inheriting the gene that causes the genetic disorder.

Can STem Cells Cure my Medical Condition?

When we treat a medical condition, we are just treating the condition, not curing it.

Neither fresh cells nor cultured cells can cure every disease, but they can do great things as far as reducing the severity of symptoms and stopping the advancement of the condition.

Normally, in a lot of chronic degenerative conditions or neurological conditions, several treatments will be needed because the effect of cellular therapies has a time limit.

Our unique approach includes a multi-dose treatment plan, in which we apply the cells once, with follow-ups at three, six, and nine month mark. If symptoms begin to occur, another round of treatment is needed.

What are the different cellular therapies
available for me?

Our comprehensive stem cell treatment protocols employ well-targeted combinations of Exosomes, allogeneic human Mesenchymal cells, and autologous bone marrow and Adipose derived stem cells to treat the diseases and conditions listed previously.

Our treatment plans are mostly focused on a systemic or whole-body approach to ensure these patients receive the highest quality and quantity of cellular products during their time in our hospital.

Of the different kinds of cellular products available for use, there are two main sources that can be used to target the conditions that have been previously discussed.

Autologous procedures

Autologous procedures are those in which the patient is their own donor for the cellular therapy treatment. In these kinds of procedures, a doctor takes a sample (usually of bone marrow or adipose tissue) and harvests the cells from it, before administering it locally to the diseased or damaged area.

Allogeneic procedures

Allogeneic procedures are those in which the patient receives cells that have been sourced from a donor that is not the patient. These samples are neonatal tissue and are comprised of umbilical cord blood.

They are extensively screened to ensure the quality and health of the cells.

The type of treatment used depends on a variety of factors, including medical history and age, but we endeavor to give each patient a personalized, case-by-case treatment plan to ensure that the only possible outcome is a positive one.

Which are the different
administration methods that we use?

After you’ve been selected a candidate, you will meet with our highly-trained team of medical professionals to devise a treatment plan tailored specifically to have the best results possible given your current condition.

Below we will outline the different methods of administering cellular therapies that we use in our medical facilities:

intrathecal-intraarterial

This form of implantation is ideal for neurological conditions because the stem cells are injected past the blood-brain barrier and directly into the spinal fluid, which enables them to reach the spinal cord and brain.

During the procedure, an experienced anesthesiologist inject stem cells into the spinal canal through the lower vertebrae under local anesthesia. They are all performed in a positive airflow room under sterile conditions, and the procedure usually takes about thirty minutes.

Intravenous IV

The safest and simplest method for delivering the stem cells throughout the body.

Anesthesia is not required. We may use Lidocaine topical spray to needle prick area beforehand.

IV administration usually takes about 20 – 30 minutes.

Intramuscular IM

The stem cells are injected directly into the muscle.

Intramuscular implantation is very safe and does not require anesthesia.

What´s Included as part of our treatment?

Before the first day of treatment, we go over the patient’s medical history, including previous and current treatments including physical therapy and cognitive therapy. We interview the patients to know more about them in order to form a custom treatment plan.

Medical General Assessment

Critical care evaluation

Specialist doctor evaluation

Anesthesiology evaluation

Perioperative care

Pharmacy and Supplies

Operating room

Anesthesia Services

Diagnostic/therapeutic imaging

Autologous stem cell acquisition

Pathology services

Hemodynamics suite

Patient coordination fee

Catheterization procedure

Mannitol injection

Med Surg Supplies sterile

Spinal tap procedure

Recovery

Laboratory fee

Culture/Expansion autologous BM
derived stem cells

Med Surg room

IV infusion

Follow up and recommendations

Pick up / Drop off from airport to accommodation and vice versa

Pick up/Drop Off the day of the procedure to and from hospital

Despite substantial research and the development of a number of neuroprotective drugs to treat NDs and to improve patient survival, no effective therapy for these diseases is currently available.

Results in numerous patients have provided proof of principle that highly concentrated culture-expanded cell replacement can work in humans with Parkinson’s disease, even though there are still many obstacles to assure that the use of stem cells is cure for neurodegenerative disease, especially because we still don’t fully understand the true mechanisms of these diseases and clinical data is still scarce.

However Cell therapy has potential to ameliorate symptoms and slow down the progression of the condition.

Patient management Initial patient evaluation

Reviews the medical information, lab work, and diagnostic imaging provided by the patient in order to determine the stage of the medical condition and any other secondary conditions. Application and scoring of the quality of life questionnaires appropriate for specific conditions.

Neurodegenerative conditions require a dose of 2 million cells/kg of body weight. Recommended route of administration is via arterial catheterization, stereotactic delivery or intrathecal injection. Intravenous routes have proved to be less effective in neurodegenerative conditions.

TREATMENTS: NEURODEGENERATIVE CONDITIONS