The field of stem cell medicine is exciting and holds great potential for treating neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s, but there are some myths regarding the treatment too.
Keep reading to learn about the facts and myths regarding stem cell therapy and what this treatment can do for Parkinson’s disease.
What is Stem Cell Therapy?
Stem cell therapy is a groundbreaking treatment that introduces healthy stem cells into the human body to treat disease. Stem cells can differentiate to replace and restore various types of damaged cells.
Stem cell treatment clinics like Swiss Medica obtain mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from adult donors, avoiding the ethical concerns and safety issues associated with embryonic stem cells.
How Does Stem Cell Therapy Work for Parkinson’s?
Parkinson’s is a progressive disease that affects the nervous system. Parkinson’s disease causes the loss of neurons in the region of the brain responsible for producing dopamine and people with Parkinson’s experience debilitating symptoms such as:
- muscle stiffness
- tremors
- impaired speech
- cognitive impairment
- sleep disorders
Stem cell therapy for Parkinson’s treats these issues by introducing MSCs that differentiate into neurons, repairing and replacing damaged brain cells. MSCs also produce cytokines and growth factors with neuroprotective properties.
Parkinson’s causes neuroinflammation, which MSCs treat with their immune-modulating properties. By restoring brain health in patients with Parkinson’s, stem cell therapy gets to the root of the disease and reduces symptoms.
Potential Benefits of Stem Cell Therapy for Parkinson’s Patients
Patients who choose stem cell therapy may see a wide range of benefits, including:
- slowed or stopped disease progression
- improved speech
- reduced tremors
- reduced involuntary movements.
Limitations of Stem Cell Therapy in Addressing Parkinson’s Disease
Stem cell medicine is not a magic cure. It’s best to seek treatment at the early stages of Parkinson’s to stop further progression of the disease, as using stem cells to treat late-stage Parkinson’s may be less effective.
When is Stem Cell Therapy a Viable Option?
If you’ve tried Parkinson’s medication with poor results or too many side effects, stem cell therapy may be a better alternative. MSC therapy comes with few side effects and many patients with Parkinson’s see improvements in their condition.
As long as a patient is free from several contraindications, like acute infection and active oncology, stem cell therapy is a safe option.
How is Stem Cell Therapy Administered for Parkinson’s?
To receive stem cell therapy for Parkinson’s, patients must undergo a consultation to determine the best course of treatment and the type of stem cells to use.
Parkinson’s patients receive stem cells through injections, but the pain and discomfort are that of ordinary injections. After the injection, the patient receives follow-up examinations and should expect to wait 3-6 months to see results.
In conclusion
Stem сell treatment isn’t a magic pill for Parkinson’s, especially if the disease has progressed to its final stages. However, early treatment using stem cell therapy holds great potential in slowing or even stopping the progression of the disease.
Treatment centers like Swiss Medica can perform an initial consultation to determine if stem cell treatment is a viable option. Treatment is quick and easy, and follow-up consultations are used to monitor the therapy results.
