Cognitive decline is a significant global concern that affects the Dementia patient’s ability to be independent and activities that once were normal now require assistance. It is a multi-faceted condition that can be systematically dismantled through the deterioration of memory and executive functions and the overall nervous system. Ultimately patients lose the ability to accomplish their activities of daily living and require specialized care. Currently, traditional pharmacologic therapeutics address the symptoms of Dementia at best. This reality creates a cellular and systemic void that can be addressed through the innovative regenerative medicine of Dementia. Unlike other interventions, a Stem Cell based approach employing UC-MSCs can be disruptive to the status quo of Dementia care. Repairing the brain through the targeted neuroinflammatory approach of UC-MSCs can be the first advance in Dementia care, surpassing the reliance on traditional biochemical approaches of care.
To understand the therapeutic action of UC-MSCs, the cellular interactions at the systemic level must be examined. Once UC-MSCs are introduced to the system, the primary mechanism of action is through paracrine signaling. What distinguishes this Stem Cell unit is its ability to secrete an array of neurotrophic factors including Brain Derived Neurotrophic factor and Nerve Growth factor. Once these proteins have been secreted, they act to recruit the neuroinflammatory cells and facilitate their replacement and repair. In addition, UC-MSCs are among several other Stem Cell units that possess the ability to secrete factors which regulate immune responses. In particular, UC-MSCs have the ability to interact with the CNS and shift the pro-inflammatory cell of the immune system, microglia, to an anti-inflammatory neuroprotective cell. This shift reduces the chronic neuroinflammatory conditions that underlie the progressive nature of Dementia. Secreted Stem Cell factors from UC-MSCs include microvesicles containing microRNAs which target damaged neurons and block apoptosis in Dementia.
Modern pharmacological approaches to Dementia rely heavily on agents that correct specific imbalances in the brain’s neurotransmitters. Many prescribers of Dementia-related medication utilize acetylcholine-enhancing drugs. Such drugs have the aim of supporting the retention of memory for a length of time. Other drugs aim to control the action of glutamate to inhibit the process of excitotoxicity. Though these techniques may rely on the same mental process as the last, there are significant limitations in these methods. The benefits of these techniques are extremely temporary. On an ongoing basis, the efficacy of the techniques diminishes as the patient’s condition worsens. In addition to the limitations of these methods, there are numerous side effects. These include stomach and heart related issues and insomnia. These methods neither stop the progressive destruction of brain tissue nor promote the clearance of the nefarious protein clumps characteristic of Dementia. Unlike UC-MSCs Stem Cell treatments, these methods distract the patient from the symptoms that are most crippling, but do nothing to improve the most painful effects of the condition.
The shift in attitude toward advanced therapies of a restorative nature demonstrates the limitations of the medical practices of the past. For complex rehabilitation of the nervous system, the restorative therapies with the most promise are UC-MSCs. For other forms of Stem Cell treatments, there are high risks for rejection of the tissue, but these therapies have the greatest capability of being safe, nonimmunogenic, allogeneic transplants. One of the characteristics that are unique to UC-MSCs is the capacity for directed migration. From the few therapies that aim to restore the nervous system, these have the ability to migrate to the areas of greatest tissue damage. The greatest area of tissue damage in this case would be the Dementia affected areas of the nervous system. Once UC-MSCs are introduced, they begin the distinct stages of healing by promoting the removal of toxic amyloid plaques through the enhancement of microglial phagocytosis. They repair the damaged microenvironment and form new synaptic connections, as well as create new blood vessels to improve blood flow to the brain. The restoration of the affected tissue makes the healing potential of this Stem Cell intervention incomparable to the mere management of Dementia symptoms through chemical means.
Figure 1: Dementia treatment evolution from conventional drug therapy to restorative UC-MSCs therapy
The innovative therapeutic landscape in the field of regenerative medicine is rapidly shifting, and Thailand is positioning itself as a leader in the field of cutting-edge regenerative therapy. Thailand is amending its regulatory policy to create an optimal environment for the clinical application of Stem Cell therapies targeted at the treatment of Dementia. Thailand has an advanced medical system with modern, high-quality, well-equipped research laboratories. Thai researchers are provided government funding for biotechnology research that aids in lowering costs for complicated clinical research. Moreover, the country has a large network of specialized medical practitioners for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Thailand is the most advanced country in the world for the use of UC-MSCs for the treatment of Dementia.
The treatment of Dementia should not be limited to the management of symptoms. The use of UC-MSCs in Stem Cell therapy has the potential to heal brain degeneration. Through its powerful immunomodulation and tissue regeneration, this type of Stem Cell has the ability to start reversing degeneration of the brain. There are currently no adequate solutions for Dementia, so the development of UC-MSCs Stem Cell therapies is extremely valuable. Thailand is leading the fast development of clinical practices, and is making regenerative neurotherapy an attainable goal. Those who suffer from the different types of progressive neurodegenerative disorders will soon be able to access therapies that will restore function of the brain, enhance quality of life and rehabilitate the brain beyond the postponement of the inevitable.