Stem cell therapy for autism

Autism is a disease that occurs due to impaired development of the child’s brain. Children with autism are characterized by stereotypical behavior and following routines; they also have difficulty interacting with the outside world. They have trouble communicating and making eye or physical contact. Autism has been diagnosed more frequently recently, partly because diagnosis has improved and the term “autism” has broadened to include autism spectrum disorders (ASD), which encompass a wide range of different conditions.

When your child receives such a diagnosis, it is very difficult. In addition, you undoubtedly wonder why your child’s development has gone wrong. In addition, the most important question is: can you help your child learn to socialize and live socially to cure autism? Unfortunately, autism currently has no cure, but there are treatments that can help make the manifestations of ASD less noticeable and help children with autism socialize and interact with others.

Is there scientific evidence that stem cells are effective for autism?

Since 2014, fifteen studies have been conducted in seven different countries to determine the effects of stem cells on children with autism. There has not been one answer to this question: some doctors have found positive results, while others have found no change. This ambiguity of answers is due to the fact that doctors used different varieties of stem cells, different methods of preparing them, and different dosages. In addition, the accuracy of the results is impaired by the fact that the study groups were small and control groups were not used to compare results.

Although the positive effects of stem cell transplantation in autism can be scientifically confirmed, it is not yet possible to develop standards for the use of this method. As a result, it is still considered experimental in the international community. However, many clinics are already offering it to patients with this diagnosis.

Cellular technologies in autism therapy

In recent years, clinical trials of new medical and biological treatments for autism have been actively pursued in several countries around the world, including the United States, Georgia, Mexico, Russia and China. The ability of stem cells to restore the immune system is being utilized.

As a rule, the child’s own stem cells taken from umbilical cord blood are used in the correction of autism manifestations, which means that the risk of their rejection and negative reactions is reduced. Cord blood contains stem cells that can be transformed into different cells in the body. If cord blood is not available, adipose tissue, bone marrow, and peripheral blood are used to isolate stem cells. The goal of stem cell therapy for autism spectrum disorders is to restore neurological function and repair brain injury.

Different methods such as inhalation, puncture and intravenous injection are also used to deliver the new cells into the body.

Types of stem cells used in therapy

Two types of stem cells are most commonly used in therapy:

  • Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)

Also known as mesenchymal stromal cells, MSCs include stem cells derived from bone marrow and adipose stem cells (from adipose tissue). However, mesenchymal stem cells derived from umbilical cord tissue are most widely used to treat autism.

  • Mononuclear stem cells(MNCs)

MNCs consist of a mixture of cells such as immune cells, stem cells, and other types of cells that are often derived from umbilical cord blood or bone marrow. Cord blood mononuclear cells (cord blood MNCs) are commonly used to treat autism.

Although both have been shown to be the most effective, there is currently no reliable evidence as to which stem cell therapy for autism is more effective.

Other types of stem cells used in the treatment of autism 

In addition to mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and mononuclear stem cells (MNCs), researchers are studying many other types of stem cells for their ability to treat autism. While many are still in the process of being experimented with, each has unique beneficial properties.

A brief overview can be found here:

  • Fetal Stem Cells (FSCs)

Fetal stem cells are derived from fetal tissue. Unlike adult stem cells, they are easier to reprogram and versatile. Like MSCs, they stimulate the immune system but are more prone to proliferation and differentiation. Because FSCs can produce growth factors and other molecules that support the immune system and brain development, they are particularly interesting in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism. PSCs are derived from tissues that would otherwise be disposed of. This makes them a more ethically acceptable choice than embryonic stem cells (ESCs).

  • Neural stem cells (NSCs)

Neural stem cells can develop into different types of brain cells, including neurons and glial cells. They are particularly promising for the treatment of neurological diseases such as autism, as they can potentially repair or replace damaged brain cells and tissues. NSCs can integrate into existing neural circuits, helping to repair abnormal brain structures often found in autism.

  • Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs)

Blood cells and immune cells are produced primarily by hematopoietic stem cells. They are present in the spleen, blood and bone marrow. HSCs maintain the balance of the immune system and control inflammation. HSCs are already widely used to treat autoimmune and blood disorders. Their ability to attach to inflamed areas and help regulate the immune system makes them a potential treatment for autism.

Treatment Protocol

The autism stem cell treatment protocol for autism is well structured and utilized to achieve the best results and patient safety. However, treatment procedures vary depending on the healthcare provider and patient requirements. Here’s how autism is typically treated:

1. Initial consultation and evaluation

The process begins with a thorough discussion. Doctors determine if the patient is suitable for stem cell therapy based on the patient’s medical history, current symptoms, and overall health. To accurately determine the patient’s needs, this evaluation often includes blood tests, imaging, and a neurological exam.

2. Stem cell selection

After doctors receive approval for stem cell therapy to treat autism, they will choose the appropriate type of stem cells. Autologous cells can be derived from the patient’s own body or from a donor.

3. Stem cell collection and processing

Doctors use autologous cells from the patient’s blood, fat tissue, or bone marrow. Allogeneic cells are obtained from cord blood banks or umbilical cord tissue. Once collected, stem cells are processed for isolation and concentration. For MSCs, this process may involve culturing the cells in a laboratory, which can take several weeks.

4. Stem cell administration

Doctors usually perform stem cell injections on an outpatient basis, so patients can go home the same day. The medical team chooses the method and location of administration based on what is best for the patient.

5. Post-treatment care and monitoring

After each session, doctors closely monitor the patient to track their progress and detect any side effects. Follow-up visits help evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy and make changes. Continuous monitoring ensures that symptoms gradually improve as the treatment consists of several sessions.

Efficacy of cell therapy in autism

Trials have shown good results in correcting manifestations of ASD in more than half of the subjects (50-89). Children understand speech better, speak better, their fine motor skills become more developed, they learn more easily, they follow repetitive rituals less, bowel function improves, children communicate more easily, they become more attentive, they begin to show their emotions and can plan their own activities

However, insufficient research and trials have not yet allowed clinicians to recommend this strategy as a standard therapy for RAS. This is concerning for the future.

Cell therapy for autism is not a panacea. Ongoing treatment and behavioral intervention, classes with a speech and language pathologist, neuropsychological correction, music therapy, hippotherapy, massage, pool sessions and other methods are what is needed.

In the weeks after the stem cell injection, the body develops gradually rather than immediately. At this time, doctors cannot guarantee the outcome of cell therapy because the effects of the injection are different for each child.

Possible side effects

Side effects of stem cell treatment include short-term fever, nausea and vomiting, and pain at the injection site. These do not occur in all patients.

In addition, it should be remembered that a child is at risk of developing antibodies to foreign cells if he or she receives multiple injections of donor stem cells. As a result, bone marrow transplantation in the development of hematooncological diseases will become impossible in the future. There is no such risk when using one’s own stem cells.

Availability and cost

Although stem cell therapy offers new hope for treating autism, it is still considered experimental, which affects its availability and cost.

The only FDA-approved stem cell therapy in the United States is bone marrow transplantation for the treatment of certain immune system disorders and blood cancers. Consequently, major insurance companies in the United States do not cover stem cell therapy for autism, offering more classical treatments instead. Nevertheless, the many successful clinical trials in the United States suggest that stem cell treatment will eventually become more accessible.

The Netherlands is the best place for stem cell treatment in Europe. The cost of treatment in the Netherlands ranges from twenty thousand dollars to fifty thousand dollars, as in other Western European countries. However, the country’s strong scientific community and strict regulatory agencies justify the price.

Turkey, Mexico, and Colombia are popular destinations for stem cell therapy. These countries have fewer regulatory issues and can perform a wider range of procedures. In addition, the cost of stem cell therapy in Western Europe and the US is 2-5 times lower. 

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