Administration of Autologous Bone Marrow-Derived Mononuclear Cells in Children with Incurable Neurological Disorders and Injury is Safe and Improves their Quality of Life

Abstract

Neurological disorders such as muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, and injury to the brain and spine currently have no known definitive treatments or cures. A study was carried out on 71 children suffering from such incurable neurological disorders and injury. They were intrathecally and intramuscularly administered autologous bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells. Assessment after transplantation showed neurological improvements in muscle power and a shift on assessment scales such as FIM and Brooke and Vignos scale. Further, imaging and electrophysiological studies also showed significant changes in selective cases. On an average follow-up of 15 ± 1 months, overall 97% muscular dystrophy cases showed subjective and functional improvement, with 2 of them also showing changes on MRI and 3 on EMG. One hundred percent of the spinal cord injury cases showed improvement with respect to muscle strength, urine control, spasticity, etc. Eighty-five percent of cases of cerebral palsy cases showed improvements, out of which 75% reported improvement in muscle tone and 50% in speech among other symptoms. Eighty-eight percent of cases of other incurable neurological disorders such as autism, Retts Syndrome, giant axonal neuropathy, etc., also showed improvement. No significant adverse events were noted. The results show that this treatment is safe, efficacious, and also improves the quality of life of children with incurable neurological disorders and injury.

Autologous Bone Marrow Derived Stem Cells for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis

“…Several studies reported significant improvement among patients with neurodegenerative conditions with no significant adverse events. In this study, we report a significant improvement in 80% of the patients treated for progressive MS with minor adverse events and great tolerability as reported by other groups (16, 19, 25). Chaitinya et al and others used BM-MNSCs to treat Cerebral Palsey, giving five intrathecal injections, they reported significant clinical improvement with no safety issues (16, 26).…”

“…The response seems to vary from one patient to another as reported in other studies (16, 19) although it was our impression that the lesser the symptoms and their duration, the better the response in general (Table 2). The pathobiology of the disease makes it a logical conclusion given the fact that the inflammatory process is at least partially reversible up to the point of neuronal death where it becomes permanent.…”

“…Those cells were considered for several reasons safe and effective. They are easy to handle technically and to inject using sterile methods (16–19). …”

Anticonvulsant activity of bone marrow cells in electroconvulsive seizures in mice

“…A growing number of reports have shown the therapeutic potential of stem cells obtained from various sources, such as bone marrow, brain, cord blood and skin, in the treatment of diseases affecting the central nervous system [1]. Bone marrow has been suggested as an accessible source of multipotent cells, and it has been used to treat patients with neurological diseases in a number of clinical trials [2-5]. It is believed that one of the major protective mechanisms of bone marrow stem cells is a paracrine effect by secreting substances with anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, proliferative and pro-angiogenic actions [6-8].…”

Autologous Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells in Ischemic Cerebrovascular Accident Paves Way for Neurorestoration: A Case Report

“…Thus, the accessibility of stem cells to the brain is enhanced. Intrathecal route is easy to administer and is devoid of any major side effects [8]. A second shot of intrathecal and intramuscular injections of MNCs was administered to further the improvements in hand functions.…”