Stem cell therapy and autism, the next great debate?

Do stem cells give the brain a second chance to bloom?

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Lately there have been a flurry of stories of stem cell therapy used to combat symptoms of autism, cerebral palsy, Alzheimer's and other disorders.   At this time, there is no such treatment available in the United States but there is a clinic in Germany that is claiming to have good results in treating an array of neurological disorders.  It will be interesting to watch this how this therapy progresses and see if hard data backs up the claims.  However on the other hand if one  family gets good results, they will become believers.   If it doesn't work for another family, they will not believe in it.  While there is no one  proven cure or cause for many neurological issues, one must keep in mind that each person is different, therefore each cause and subsequent treatment will also be different. 

In Carlsbad, Califoria, one parent support group will be having a parent speaker who has tried stem cell therapy this week.

Two California families have traveled all the way to China for stem cell therapy to help their children crippled by cerebral palsy.

It is also important to point out when researching stem cell therapy that one knows waht KIND of stem cells are being used and how they are being administered. .  For example one controversial clinic in Mexico imports stem cells from other sources and injected them under the skin. .  On the other hand, the clinic in Germany uses the patients own stem cells and injects them into the nervous system to go to the brain.

The Xcell Center in Dusseldorf Germany sXCell-Center Presents Positive Results from Cerebral Palsy Stem Cell Treatment
The XCell-Center has released results from a follow-up study of 45 cerebral palsy patients treated with autologous bone marrow stem cells. Overall, 67% improved following treatment.

Dusseldorf, Germany (PRWEB) September 24, 2009 -- The XCell-Center, Europe's leading stem cell therapy provider has released results from a follow-up study of 45 cerebral palsy patients treated with autologous bone marrow stem cells. Overall, 67% improved following treatment.

These results support the premise that patients with cerebral palsy can be treated safely and effectively with autologous stem cell therapy.

The most common improvement reported by patients was improved hand and finger coordination that resulted in better hand use. A majority of patients reported less upper limb spasticity.

"Not long after the treatment, our son started speaking in full sentences. His fine motor skills have improved and he can now hold his fork and eat without help," said Mrs. Ritu Giacobbe, the mother of a 13 year-old boy who was treated at the XCell-Center one year ago.

Leg and foot coordination improved in nearly half of the patients. Approximately 4 in 10 had reduced lower limb spasticity. 20% were able to walk better.

Speech improved in about 40% of patients. 1 in 5 showed improved cognition.

In a story published in this week's Denver Post, "Looking Up Now", the mothers of two boys recently treated at the XCell-Center, Dominic and Harrison, expressed their delight at the progress their sons have made since returning home. "For Dominic, the most significant improvement has been his ability to focus his eyes," his mom said. The Post article also quotes Harrison's mom, "Some of the milestones are significant -- Harrison can roll himself over now. He holds his head up without his chin sinking into his chest. His speech is clearer."

"These results confirm what we see in Germany on a weekly basis; that treating patients with their own stem cell yields positive results. Many of these children require less care and are now more independent. And this positively impacts the quality of life of the children and their caregivers. We couldn't be more delighted," stated Dr. Ute Tamaschke, the XCell-Center's pediatric neurosurgeon.

The treatment begins by collecting a small amount bone marrow from the patient's hip via thin needle mini-puncture. The stem cells are separated from the bone marrow at the XCell-Center's EU certified cGMP laboratory, where they are counted and their vitality is confirmed. The last step consists of inserting a fine spinal needle between the patient's L4 and L5 vertebrae and injecting the stem cells into the cerebrospinal fluid which flows into the brain.

The cost for cerebral palsy treatment starts at around 9,000 Euros.

About the XCell-Center

The XCell-Center operates treatment centers in Cologne and Dusseldorf, Germany. It is the first privately-owned clinic in Europe to specialize in regenerative medicine using autologous bone marrow stem cell therapy and operates in accordance with German law and European guidelines. Its specialized medical team of German physicians includes specialists in: neurosurgery, orthopedics, cardiology, radiology, anesthesiology and pharmacology.

The XCell-Center also treats Diabetes and its complications (Erectile Dysfunction and Peripheral Artery Disease), Stroke, Cerebral Palsy, Spinal Cord Injuries, Orthopedic diseases, Heart Disease and degenerative diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and several eye diseases.

For more information on Stem Cell Therapy:

XCell-Center Website: http://www.xcell-center.com

XCell-Center GmbH
at the Institute for Regenerative Medicine
Am Heerdter Krankenhaus 2
40549 Dusseldorf, Germamy

Phone: 1-866-680-8202 (USA Toll-Free) (+49) 0221-802-5095 (Germany)
Fax: (+49) 0221-2921-2550 (Germany) 1-713-583-9322 (USA)