A big problem in therapy with the body’s own stem cells associated with neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease, and stroke was that because of the suspected “blood-brain barrier” implantation of stem cells into the brain or spinal cord (CNS) was deemed necessary.
Injections into the CNS often lead to life-threatening complications, e.g., by bleeding or infection. Such incidents cause health authorities to prohibit or restrict stem cell therapies, as long as the therapeutic benefit appears not to be proven by large and expensive studies. Just recently, a stem cell institute in Germany was closed by the competent authority due to a cerebral hemorrhage that occurred at an injection into the brain of a child (which was of course caused by the injection instrument and not by the stem cells).
Studies have already shown in 2012 that in mice affected by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) the intravenous administration of stem cells was sufficient to achieve a significant improvement, though. No injection into the brain or spinal cord was necessary! Is this applicable to humans? Probably – animals and humans are different, but in the basic physiology mice and humans are quite similar.
Especially when it comes to the prevention of dangerous complications, the gentlest route of administration should be chosen in novel and experimental therapies first. Therefore, in my clinic we do not perform any treatments which require opening of the CNS may and instead select safe, proven ways for implantation like intravenous administration. This gave our patients therapeutic benefit and they remained free of complications.
DDr. Heinrich, MD