Overview of Alzheimer’s
Did you know that Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) affects approximately 50 million people worldwide? AD, a form of dementia, is a progressive neurological condition that causes brain cells to deteriorate and die. This leads to a decline in behavior, thinking, and social skills, eventually stripping away the ability to live independently. The causes of AD remain elusive, with researchers pointing to a mix of age, genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors. A hallmark of AD is the build-up of amyloid protein in the brain, resulting in cell death.
In this challenging scenario, Stem Cell Therapy for Alzheimer’s emerges as a groundbreaking development, offering hope and new possibilities. This innovative treatment, still in its research phase, shows potential not just to slow down but possibly reverse the symptoms of AD. By harnessing the power of stem cells, scientists aim to repair the damaged brain tissue, thereby improving cognitive functions. This advancement isn’t merely a scientific breakthrough; it’s a beacon of hope for millions, signaling a potential paradigm shift in combating Alzheimer’s.
Dr. Gurneet Sawhney, a specialist in stem cell therapy, underscores the importance of this approach in treating Alzheimer’s. He emphasizes, "Stem cell therapy aims to repair damaged brain tissue, improving cognitive functions and quality of life." Dr. Sawhney's insights highlight ongoing advancements in therapeutic strategies aimed at transforming the lives of those affected by Alzheimer’s Disease.
Since initial symptoms are easy to dismiss as normal occurrences with advancing age, a close family member is the best person to keep an eye out for the following:
Can you relate to any of the above symptoms?
Do not worry! Stem cell therapy is the answer to your problem!
Interested in Stem Cell Therapy? Your health is too important to ignore – schedule your appointment now for personalized consultation and treatment options.
Stem Cell Therapy
Before we jump into the details of stem cell therapy for Alzheimer’s disease, let’s understand what stem cells are.
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells present in our body, that can form any tissue.
They are found in several areas, like the bone marrow of certain bones, fatty tissue of the abdomen, and circulating blood to name a few. In certain cases, umbilical stem cells are also used for treatment.
The two types of stem cell transplants are autologous transplants, where the patient’s stem cells are used, and analogous stem cells, where donor cells are used.
But how does this relate to AD?
You see, stem cells have special properties of repair and regeneration. When researchers realized this, they devised a way to use them to repair damaged nerve cells and form new ones.
We already know that this has never been possible with conventional treatments. However, stem cell research for Alzheimer’s has shown promising results so far.
Does Stem Cell Therapy Work for Alzheimer’s?
Let’s answer the most important question first.
Stem cell therapy has shown immense potential in treating AD. Patients have exhibited improvement in memory, social skills, and concentration.
However, it is important to know that stem cells for Alzheimer’s are still undergoing clinical trials, and is fairly new. As a consequence, it is not FDA-approved yet.
Does every AD patient qualify for stem cell treatment for Alzheimer’s?
Not yet.
Every clinical trial has its own set of stringent requirements. Some of the basic criteria are:
Risks and Benefits of Stem Cells for Alzheimer’s Patients
Every medical treatment has some benefits and risks.
It is for you to decide if the benefits of Alzheimer’s stem cell therapy outweigh the risks.
| Benefits | Risks |
It is the only treatment that repairs and regenerates neurons
| Infection at the site of injection
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Minimally invasive
| Nerve damage at the site of injection
|
Short recovery period
| Graft-versus-host disease if donor cells are used
|
Exploring the Risks and Benefits of Stem Cells for Alzheimer’s Patients? Take charge of your health and life – contact us today for personalized insights and proactive care.
Risks of using stem cells to treat alzheimer's
Using stem cells to treat Alzheimer's disease shows promise, but there are some risks:
Tumors: Stem cells can sometimes grow uncontrollably, which could lead to tumors.
Immune Rejection: The body's immune system might see these cells as "foreign" and attack them, so patients may need drugs to prevent this, which have side effects.
Ethical Issues: Some types of stem cells, like those from embryos, raise ethical questions. Plus, strict regulations mean treatments take longer to approve.
Disease Transmission: There's a small chance stem cell transplants could carry diseases. Some research found that bone marrow transplants in mice might spread Alzheimer’s, highlighting a need for careful screening.
Uncertain Results: We still don’t fully understand how stem cells might help in Alzheimer’s, so it’s hard to predict how well treatments will work in people.
Cost
How will stem cell therapy for Alzheimer’s affect your wallet?
The cost of this treatment depends on several factors the severity of the disease, the number of cycles required, and the type of stem cells used.
In India, Alzheimer’s disease treatment by stem cell therapy costs 1500 to 2000 USD for each cycle, with the total cost being 6500 to 13,400 USD. This expense includes hospital stays and any after-care that might be required.
In comparison, the same treatment, minus hospital expenses, costs 25,000 to 50,000 USD in the US.
How Can Stem Cell Therapy be Used to Treat Alzheimer’s?
To answer this question, it’s time to go back to science class.
Stem cells have six useful properties that help in the treatment of AD.
- They replace dead or damaged neural cells.
- They secrete neurotrophic factors, which help establish connections between newly formed neurons.
- The stem cells will encourage the production of anti-amyloid proteins.
- They stimulate an anti-inflammatory response.
- They promote the activation of your innate stem cells.
- And finally, they improve the metabolic activity of your brain cells.
As you can see, all these functions solve the issues that cause AD in the first place. This multi-pronged activity makes stem cells an effective AD treatment.
What Type of Stem Cells are Used to Treat Alzheimer’s?
Mesenchymal stem cells are responsible for forming bone cells, nerve cells, and cartilage cells. We have already seen the various locations where stem cells are available in our bodies.
Which ones are the best to treat AD?
Bone marrow-derived stem cells are most commonly used. A few studies have also used umbilical stem cells with some success. Most trials also conduct autologous transplants, making stem cells easily available.
Procedure
Worried about what the procedure of stem cell treatment for Alzheimer’s disease will entail?
Let us put your mind at ease.
Stem cell therapy is a very simple procedure, that can be divided into three steps.
Curious about the Procedure for Stem Cell Therapy? Take the first step to recovery – get in touch with us for personalized treatment information and support.
| Procedure | Description |
| Step 1- Harvesting of the stem cells |
|
| Step 2- Separation of Stem Cells |
|
| Step 3- Transplantation |
|
Most patients require a three-day hospital stay, following which they are discharged.
The whole procedure is painless and non-invasive, which keeps you or your loved one comfortable.
What to Expect After Stem Cell Therapy for Alzheimer’s?
You will be very happy to know that no long-term side effects have been reported by any clinical study so far.
Right after the procedure, the patient may experience some headache or dizziness. This only lasts for a few hours.
The recovery period for stem cell therapy in Alzheimer's disease is very short. One can resume their daily activities in one to two days. However, depending on age, no strenuous physical activity is allowed for the next two to three weeks.
Results
Now that the procedure is done, you may be wondering when can you start seeing an improvement, right?
Most patients show visible results three to four weeks after the procedure.
They continue to get better over the next three to six months.
What improvements can you expect?
You will see significant betterment in:
Unfortunately, these results are not exactly permanent yet. So far, most patients have shown signs of improvement for twelve to sixteen months after the treatment, at which point they once again start showing a decline.
Of course, you can undergo another cycle of stem cell therapy at this stage. Researchers are working hard to make results longer. While it is early days, there has been some success in achieving this.
Success Rate
Interested in the Success Rate of Stem Cell Therapy? Your well-being is our priority – call us today to book your appointment and discuss potential outcomes for your health.
The success rate of Alzheimer’s disease stem cell treatment depends on numerous factors.
Some of them are age, the severity of the disease, and the affliction of other neurodegenerative diseases.
There is a huge amount of data on Alzheimer’s and stem cell therapy which makes it difficult to assign a proper figure to the success rate. However, since clinical trials in India are more regularized, we can refer to data from these studies.
In India, stem cell therapy for AD has shown a success rate of 65-85%.
Yes, you read that right!
Research Study
That was a lot of technical knowledge about stem cells, wasn’t it?
Do you want to hear about stem cell research for Alzheimer’s patients too?
This study from February 2021 did a deep dive into stem cell therapy for Alzheimer's disease. Not only did they study the individual properties of all the different kinds of stem cells, but they also investigated clinical trials right from the beginning.
And what did they say?
They said that stem cell therapy has a huge potential to be the elusive cure for AD. Additionally, the results have been steadily improving with each passing year.
