I always find it nerve-wracking to get an MRI and wait for the results. In those times I can't help but imagine the worst case scenario and what that would entail, so I understand your concern.
Here is a study that looked at factors affecting the success of BMTs in adults with cerebral ALD:
According to that article, age and disease progression (as measured by mobility) correlated with worse outcomes, so if your MRI showed cerebral involvement you would probably need to have a serious discussion with your doctor about whether the potential benefits would outweigh the risks.
There are also cases where cerebral disease spontaneously stops, even without a transplant, so there is hope even without a BMT:
Thanks for sharing that article. This was of great interest to me from the article:
"Specific complications during stem cell transplantation included deterioration of motor and bladder functions (n = 12) as well as behavioural changes (n = 8). Arrest of progressive cerebral demyelination and prevention of severe loss of neurocognition was achieved in all eight survivors, but deterioration of motor function occurred in the majority (n = 5)."
I've never heard this about BMT, specifically. Does anyone have any more information on why the stem cell transplant process itself causes deterioration of motor and bladder function? Goodness, it sounds like this is pretty much a "damned if we do, damned if we don't" situation.
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