Preventing Neurodegenerative Disorders with Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Therapy
At Cellebration Wellness, we are redefining healthcare with advanced stem cell therapies backed by decades of groundbreaking research. Understanding how stem cells work is crucial to appreciating the revolutionary therapies offered by Cellebration Wellness.
Neurodegenerative disorders are a type of brain disorder that results in the progressive loss of structure or function of neurons, the cells that make up the nervous system. Various factors, including genetic predisposition, exposure to toxins, and viral infections, can cause these disorders.
Millions of people across the globe suffer from debilitating neurodegenerative disorders. These disorders can impact nearly every aspect of a patient's life, preventing them from working or simply performing day-to-day tasks.
There are several types of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Each disorder is characterized by different symptoms and progresses at different rates.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common neurodegenerative disorder, accounting for 60-80% of all cases. It is characterized by memory loss, problems with language and communication, difficulty making decisions, and changes in mood and personality. In the United States alone, it is estimated that more than 6.5 million Americans over 65 suffer from this disease.
Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, accounting for 10-15% of all cases. It is characterized by tremors (shaking), rigidity (stiffness), slowness of movement, and problems with balance. Nearly one million people in the United States currently live with Parkinson's disease.
Huntington's disease is a rarer neurodegenerative disorder affecting about 1 in 10,000 people. It is characterized by involuntary movements (chorea), mental decline, and emotional instability. In the United States, just over 3,700 people suffer from this condition.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder that attacks nerve cells and causes muscle weakness. It is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Most recent reports show that ALS affects nearly 5.2 out of every 100,000 people in the United States. This total adds up to more than 31,000 people who suffer from the disease. Some other common types of neurodegenerative disorders that affect people across the globe include:
- Multiple system atrophy (between 15,000 and 50,000 Americans)
- Progressive supranuclear palsy (around 20,000 Americans)
- Ataxia (affects 1 in 50,000 to 100,000 Americans)
Unfortunately, each of these debilitating conditions has a range of symptoms that impact the day-to-day lives of those with them.
Symptoms of Neurodegenerative Disorders
Symptoms of neurodegenerative disorders vary between disorders. However, neurodegenerative disorders are characterized by a slow, progressive deterioration of the function of specific neurons in the brain. This can lead to a wide range of symptoms, depending on which specific disorder is present.
In general, symptoms of neurodegenerative disorders may include the following:
- Memory loss
- Confusion and disorientation
- Difficulty speaking or understanding speech
- Parkinson's disease-like tremors or muscle rigidity
- Loss of coordination and balance
These symptoms can range from mild to severe and vary depending on the specific disorder. Several factors increase the risk of people developing neurodegenerative disorders. These include:
- Age
- Diet
- Alcohol use
- Depression
- Cardiovascular disease
- Smoking
- Cerebrovascular disease
- Any head injuries
- Sleep deprivation
- High blood pressure
- Poor fitness
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Genetics
How are Neurodegenerative Disorders Treated?
Studies have repeatedly shown that no effective therapeutics are available to treat these neurodegenerative disorders, despite the number of attempts made over the past few decades.
The current treatments for neurodegenerative disorders aim to manage the symptoms and slow the disease's progression. There is no cure for neurodegenerative disorders, but there are treatments that can improve quality of life and help people with the disorder manage their symptoms.
Medications may be prescribed to help with specific symptoms, such as pain, depression, or seizures. Physical, occupational, and speech therapy can also help people with neurodegenerative disorders regain some function and independence. In some cases, surgery may be an option to relieve pressure on the brain or spinal cord or to implant devices that can help with movement or communication.
Although there are no treatments available to address the disorders specifically, we are seeing a significant shift toward advanced scientific techniques for treating an array of neurodegenerative disorders for patients. Clinical trials are ongoing to test new potential treatments for neurodegenerative disorders. Some researchers are exploring whether certain medications used to treat other conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, might also be effective in treating neurodegenerative disorders. Others are looking into new ways to deliver existing treatments, such as using electrical stimulation to target specific brain areas.
More recently, numerous scientific studies have focused on using umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells to treat neurodegenerative disorders. This therapeutic approach has shown some promising results in various clinical trials.
What are Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells?
A large body of scientific evidence has shown that stem cell therapy can effectively treat neurodegenerative disorders. Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells are a type of stem cell that has been shown to be especially effective in treating these conditions. UC-MSCs are a type of adult stem cell that can be found in Wharton's jelly of the umbilical cord.
Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells UC-MSCs are a type of stem cell that can be isolated from the umbilical cord. UCMSCs can differentiate into multiple cell types, including:
- Osteoblasts
- Chondrocytes
- Adipocytes
- Myocytes
- Hepatocytes
UC-MSCs have several properties that make them ideal for treating neurodegenerative disorders. They are immune privileged, meaning the body's immune system accepts them. Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells also have anti-inflammatory properties. They also secrete various cytokines and growth factors that can promote nerve regeneration.
UC-MSCs were first isolated in 1991. Since then, UC-MSCs have been studied extensively for their potential use in regenerative medicine. Clinical trials have shown that umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cell therapy effectively treats various neurodegenerative disorders in patients. Currently, several clinical trials are underway evaluating the safety and efficacy of UC-MSCs transplantation in patients with various neurodegenerative disorders.
How Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells can Help Neurodegenerative Disorders
Preclinical studies have shown that UC-MSCs may offer therapeutic benefits for neurodegenerative disorders. For example, one study showed that UC-MSCs improved motor function in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease. Additionally, UC-MSCs have been shown to reduce inflammation and promote nerve regeneration in models of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Huntington's disease. These studies have found:
- Alzheimer's disease: UC-MSCs have been shown to promote neurons' growth and survival in vitro and animal models of Alzheimer's disease. In a recent clinical trial, umbilical cord-derived MSCs improved cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer's disease by actively promoting hippocampal neurogenesis and reducing oxidative stress.
- Parkinson's disease: Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells have been shown to differentiate into dopaminergic neurons in vitro and to improve motor function in animal models of Parkinson's disease. In a clinical trial, umbilical cord-derived MSCs improved motor function and quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease. It was found to ameliorate motor dysfunction in patients. It also repaired the degeneration of dopamine neurons by inhibiting activated glial cells while decreasing the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
- Huntington's disease: A recent publication surrounding the use of UC-MSCs for Huntington's disease found that UC-MSCs could reduce the levels of Huntingtin. UC-MSCs were also able to improve motor function and reduce inflammation in the brains of Huntington's disease mice. The study provides strong evidence that UC-MSCs may effectively treat Huntington's disease.
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A team of researchers transplanted UC-MSCs into the brains of rats that had been bred to develop ALS-like symptoms. The rats that received the UC-MSC transplant showed significantly less motor neuron loss and paralysis than the control group of rats that did not receive the transplant. Additionally, human subjects were tested with umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells from Wharton's jelly. This study found that the median survival time increased twofold in all groups tested. Additionally, decreased progression rates were observed in patients (31.3%). These studies are ongoing to improve techniques and the use of UC-MSC therapy for ALS patients.
- Multiple system atrophy: There is new hope for those with MSA, thanks to umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells. In a recent study, umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells were transplanted into rats with multiple system atrophy. The results showed that the UC-MSCs could survive and integrate into the rat brain. Additionally, the UC-MSCs appeared to improve motor function in rats with MSA. Multiple studies surrounding the effects of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells on patients with this debilitating condition are ongoing.
Although umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cell therapies are promising for neurodegenerative disorders, more research is needed to confirm their efficacy and safety in humans. If proven effective, UC-MSCs could offer a much-needed treatment option for those with severe and debilitating neurodegenerative disorders.
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