The Effect of Stem Cells on Autism
Can stem cell treatments improve the lives of children with Autism? It is widely understood that those on the Autism spectrum exhibit immune system abnormalities. There are immune nodules in the distal ileum (the area of the small intestine that intersects with the large intestine) that produce inflammatory cytokines. According to a recent Harvard study, these cytokines travel to, and inflame, the white matter of the brain. This swelling of the brain is an immune system issue. Mesenchymal stem cells effectively treat inflammation and immune system irregularities.
Mesenchymal stem cells, or MSCs, perform many functions in the human body, among those functions are:
- Control inflammation
- Modulate the immune system
These functions may aid in the treatment of Autism. Children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder show an increase in certain signaling proteins secreted by cells that manifest as inflamed tissue. In fact, they have a significantly higher level of the protein responsible for binding white blood cells to blood vessel walls – this is a key component in the development of inflammation.
Modulating the immune system plays a vital role in the potential improvement of children with ASD. There is a correlation between immunological abnormalities and the nervous system of autistic children.
Many autistic children also suffer from gastrointestinal issues. These issues are a matter of excessive inflammation in the gut. Constant inflammation of the intestinal tract is believed to cause alterations in the brain structure. It has been found that this inflammation is consistent with neuroinflammation and enlarged white matter in the brain. Children with ASD produce fewer anti-inflammatory compounds.
Although there is no cure for ASD, this highlights the need for treatments that target the inflammation contributing to the disorder. The very nature and function of mesenchymal stem cells make them a viable treatment option as they control inflammation and modulate the immune system.
Mesenchymal stem cells donated from umbilical cord tissue are the preferred cells for Autism treatment. There have been no cases reported where rejection occurred, or negative side effects have been present.
The United States prevents the growth of stem cells to the degree that is necessary to treat Autism. In Colombia we can grow the stem cells and therefore inject more than 100 million cells into our patients. Clinical trials have demonstrated that this type of treatment is safe for children with ASD. Children in the studies have shown improvement in emotional, intellectual, non-verbal communication and visual responses.
Our lab has very strict guidelines for the use of MSCs in Autism treatment. All labs test the mother during pregnancy for infectious disease to ensure the health of the tissue. We further test the father as his cells contribute to the tissue as well. Only the highest quality tissue is used in our Autism treatment protocols. Our rigorous selection and testing process enable us to determine which cells are best for each treatment that we administer.
The rate of Autism has risen dramatically in recent years. Today 1 in nearly every 70 children is diagnosed with autism. The number of children diagnosed with Autism is increasing at the rate of around 15% annually. Our goal is to help as many families as possible find relief and improvement for their children. We believe that by modulating the immune system and controlling inflammation we can do our part to help the World be Autism free in the future. Let us help your child. Call us and discuss your child’s condition with our team and let’s see if we can help.
