Stroke patients may benefit from stem cell treatment. Stem cells are an exciting new therapeutic option that has been shown safe and beneficial in many peer-reviewed research. It prevents additional harm to the body and brain after a stroke by rebuilding damaged brain cells and controlling the immune system. Stem cell treatment for stroke survivors is a useful alternative treatment option because of these features.
What exactly is a stroke?
A stroke happens when blood flow to the brain is interrupted, depriving the brain of oxygen for a short period of time.
Every year, approximately 795,000 individuals in the United States suffer from strokes, which may strike at any age. Until recently, there was little that could be done to prevent brain damage from a stroke if it was not detected early and treated within hours of its onset. Recent research and clinical trials using stem cells on actual stroke patients, on the other hand, have shown incredible outcomes.
What is the cause of a stroke?
A stroke may result from a lack of blood flow to the brain (ischemic) or from a haemorrhage (bleeding within the brain).
What is an Ischemic Stroke, and how does it happen?
Ischemic strokes, on the other hand, are produced by tiny blockages in the blood artery. These are often plaque fragments or blood clots. Annually, ischemic strokes account for approximately 87 percent of all strokes. In either instance, cutting off blood supply to the brain causes brain cells to die within minutes, potentially resulting in long-term brain damage and neurological problems. To dissolve the blood clot, conventional therapies such as tissue plasminogen activators (tPA) were utilised till recently. They are generally useless in avoiding long-term impairment if not given within hours after a stroke.
What is stem cell treatment and how does it work?
Stem cell therapy is a non-invasive procedure for replacing damaged cells in the body. Mesenchymal stem cells may be injected locally or systemically to target particular areas, depending on the requirements of the patient.
Because of their anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory properties, stem cells may be able to assist stroke victims. Stroke may be treated safely using stem cell therapy. If given early enough, stem cell therapy may help in stroke recovery. (1)
Can stem cells assist those who have had a stroke?
Stem cells are regenerative and anti-inflammatory by nature, and they seek out damaged tissue in the body. As a result, Stanford University School of Medicine used stem cells in clinical studies to treat stroke patients of various ages, ranging from 6 months to 3 years following their stroke. The study included 18 people, with an average age of 61, and utilised direct brain stem cell transplantation.
The stem cells used in the research were taken from a donor’s bone marrow. All of the individuals exhibited indications of better motor function after just a few months. The Fugl-Meyer Assessment, a stroke-specific impairment test, revealed an average gain of 11.4 points in the patients, and the effects lasted for years following therapy, as tracked by the institution. This study made significant progress in demonstrating that stem cells may successfully treat stroke symptoms years after the stroke has occurred, and that they can be used at any age.