Stem Cell Therapy

[smv123]

Has anyone tried Stem Cell Therapy for Parkinsons?

[smv123]

Like Fetal Stemcells StemCells of America

[park_bear]

Stem cells cannot get past the blood brain barrier, so implanting them requires brain surgery. Anyone claiming otherwise is a scam.

[kaypeeoh in reply to park_bear]

Plenty of things can get through the BBB. One example is with MS. Abnormal white blood cells cross the BBB and damage myelin, the nerve cell protein. Is there evidence for your claim?

[sharoncrayn in reply to kaypeeoh]

"Plenty of things can get through the BBB"

Wrong. Plenty of "things" cannot get through the BBB and its endothelial cells, in particular large molecules. Only water, gases like oxygen, and lipid soluble molecules. That is why our creator created it...thankfully.

When molecules do cross the BBB that shouldn't, they do so because the individual's BBB and its permeability is damaged and is no longer functioning as it should. Not all BBBs are intact and functioning perfectly.

Can a virus like SARS-cov-2-wuhan somehow cross into the brain? From the published studies, it appears it definitely can by damaging the endothelial cells. Scary.

Sharon

[park_bear in reply to kaypeeoh]

Yes, I stand corrected

[sharoncrayn in reply to park_bear]

PB:

You are absolutely correct. Someday it will be done, but other than the unique case that is often cited, as if everyone has $2-3 million to experiment, not now.

Anyone who goes the route of "fetal placenta" stem cells for any treatment needs to think very carefully about where "they" are getting the stem cells. Think about the donor and what that donor is transferring into your body wherever cells may go! It reminds me of the risk taken by some people who want "Fecal transplantation" (or bacteriotherapy) to reconstruct their gut microbiome.

Sharon

[park_bear in reply to sharoncrayn]

Thanks although it looks like I was mistaken about stem cells not being able to get past the BBB:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

In any case it is agreed that anyone currently claiming to have stem cell therapy for Parkinson's is almost certainly a scam.

[sharoncrayn in reply to park_bear]

PB:

The conclusion of this review (2014) seems tenuous, although quoted often by stem cell advocates.

From Liu: (who they use a a primary source for their conclusion)

"It is hypothesized that transplanted MSCs home to and engraft at ischemic and injured sites in the brain in order to exert their therapeutic effects. However, whether MSCs possess the ability to migrate across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) that separates the blood from the brain remains unresolved."

Liu concludes:

"However, the in vivo efficacy of MSC therapy has not been well established, and some recent clinical trials have produced mixed results."

Sharon

[dentonpark]

There is a search at the top right. Type stem cell, John pepper, etc...

[bcowart]

No but I've been researching it a lot, have been posting news articles and research info on my blog (bobcowart.blogspot.com) and just had an hour-long conversation with a neurologist in Seattle about it. She is suggesting two treatments of stems (derived from fat extracted subcutaneously from the area around the waist, i.e. the 'flank'). This is done using well-established liposuction procedures developed for cosmetic surgery.

The extracted material is then filtered to remove all but the stem cells, more or less. These stem cells are called Adipose-derived Stem Cells (ASCs). Once filtered and prepared, they are then returned to the body via IV infusion. That is, they are put into the bloodstream and freely circulate around the body, looking for cells of all types that are in need of stems to regenerate, repair, etc. Theoretically, this approach can be used to help rebuild and repair any number of diseases, make repairs from oxidative stress, toxic exposure, physical injury, etc.

"Adipose tissue is regarded as an abundant source of adult stem cells and easy to access in the human body. ... Compared to bone marrow, the number of SVF cells, or even MSCs and ASCs in adipose tissue are 4–6 folds higher, 4.28% for MSCs and 32% for adipose stromal cells respectively in SVFs." (from a web site, see a link below for more).

She claims to have worked with many PWPs over the years, and has had some success with the stems in cases of neurodegeneration. I want to know more, and want to talk with some of her patients who have had success and those who have not. I want to better understand the chances of ASCs being able to pass the blood brain barrier (BBB) and actually repair the dopaminergic cells in the Substantia Nigra, for example. IF there is success, what does it look like, and how lasting is it?

The treatments are NOT cheap. About $7500 each. I am also meeting and talking with other PD docs, an Integrative neuro doc, and a researcher/biologist I know in the stem cell area.

I will be monitoring this topic here on HU. Thanks for posting the question, smv123, and thanks to anyone replying with their experiences and input. Please share and save us money (big money!) if your experience/knowledge has led you to believe stem cell treatment fort PD is not ready for prime time.

Very technical article about the differences between types of stem cells from the NIH:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

-Bob

[smv123 in reply to bcowart]

I think in about 5 years the Stem Cells with iPsc cells will really be a helpful thing. Check into Aspen Neruscience and Dr Jeanne Loring. Just hope my husband can wait. That's why I have been looking into how much exercise slows the progression. But very interested in what you find out. I looked into Fetal Stem Cell with StemCells of American and a couple of the testimonials seemed great, but ethically I don't know if that's for us. Wishing you all the best and please keep us updated!

[jimcaster in reply to smv123]

There are legitimate stem cell trials underway in Japan and Australia and soon in California through Dr. Loring, as you indicated. At present, there are no legitimate, FDA approved stem cell treatments for Parkinson's disease...but I hope you're right that it is shown to be safe and effective within 5 years.

[park_bear in reply to bcowart]

Interesting. Please keep us posted!

[NellieH]

Be very careful about people peddling stem cell therapy. I heard a podcast series about it (I believe it's called Bad Batch). There have been some terrible, harmful results and huge losses of money.

[PalmSprings]

Hi, I had the Adipose stem cell treatment for osteoarthritis in my knees. They used fat cells (liposuction) from my backside. Using your own cells lessens rejection. The treatment was life changing for me. I went from walking backwards, constant pain, swollen knees and two knee braces to walking normally. I am five years out. (Caution, this was my experience and with my specific symptoms). I have been following the research closely with regard to use in Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s etc. I think the researchers are close 🤞. I am waiting with bated breath.

[kaypeeoh]

I read an article on using stem cells in the doctor's office. With liposuction a large amount of stem cells can be collected then injected into the body. No special equipment required and I was able to treat dogs with arthritis using lipid-derived stem cells.