What is stem cell therapy?
The human body comprises various cell types, such as brain, blood, heart, skin, and stem cells. Stem cells are unique because they have the potential to develop into different types of cells. Stem cell therapy involves injecting these cells into a patient to repair or replace damaged cells, offering treatment for various conditions. The stem cells used may come from the patient themselves or a donor. This therapy has been utilized for ailments like burns, blood cancers, and corneal damage.
How is stem cell therapy applied to autism?
Proponents of stem cell therapy suggest that it can alleviate certain symptoms of autism. Reported benefits include improvements in focus, behavior, anxiety, social interaction, speech, and overall communication skills.
What is the theory behind using stem cells for autism?
Stem cells have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating properties in conditions like leukemia. Advocates of this therapy for autism argue that immune dysfunction and inflammation are linked to the condition. They propose that administering stem cells can reduce these issues, potentially leading to a decrease in autistic traits.
What does stem cell therapy for autism involve?
The process typically includes several stages:
- Pre-Treatment Evaluations: The patient undergoes assessments such as physical exams, blood tests, and a review of medical history to determine eligibility for treatment.
- Collection: Stem cells are harvested using various methods, depending on the source. They can be obtained from bone marrow, umbilical cords, donor placentas, or directly from the autistic, cerebrospinal fluid, or bone marrow. Some methods may be invasive and cause discomfort.
- Cultivation: After collection, certain stem cells might require laboratory cultivation, which can take several weeks.
- Injection: The stem cells are injected into the patient’s veins. This procedure can be invasive and may require anaesthesia or hospitalization. Depending on the treatment plan, the autistic might receive multiple injections over days, weeks, or months.
- Follow-Up: Regular follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor the patient’s progress after each treatment session.
How does autism relate to stem cell therapy?
Stem cell therapy has shown promise in treating autism, partly due to its success in managing cerebral palsy, another neurodevelopmental disorder. Although autism and cerebral palsy differ significantly, both are linked to neurodevelopmental issues. Research indicates that intravenously administered stem cells can enhance neuronal connectivity in the brain and regulate the immune system. Despite its potential, research into stem cell therapy for autism is progressing more slowly than for cerebral palsy. Between 2011 and 2018, 70 clinical trials were conducted worldwide for cerebral palsy and related conditions, compared to just 14 for autism.
Why use Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) for autism?
Recent immunology studies reveal that stem cells are not entirely immune-privileged but are better described as “immune evasive.” Research indicates that while some patients develop antibodies against donor stem cells, these antibodies are typically present in low concentrations and do not cause symptoms. The long-term effects remain unclear.
Stem cells have an excellent safety profile, with tens of thousands of autistic patients receiving stem cells infusions or injections over the past decade without experiencing graft-versus-host disease. This makes stem cells therapy a promising and relatively safe option for addressing autism-related symptoms.