Treatment of Autism with Stem Cells in Children

 Sponsored content

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder influenced by both genetics and environmental factors. According to the World Health Association, the prevalence rate of autism is about 1 in 100 children, which either reflects increasing cases or improvement in public awareness and public health sectors across the globe.

Autism behavioral signs can be either of the following two:

1. Early onset pattern, where the child shows social and communication deficits during the early developmental stage.
2. Regressive pattern, where the child normally develops for the first few years and then experiences a massive decline in early developmental skills.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is untreatable as it involves a group of disorders pertaining to social, behavioral, and communication issues. However, recent advancements in cell-based therapies have proven stem cells to be a potential therapeutic approach for treating core symptoms of ASD.

Stem cells are types of cells with a potential therapeutic modality for treating neurological conditions via self-renewal and differentiation into multiple cell lineages, including nervous tissue.

Let’s take a look at the causes and symptoms of autism and the potential benefits of stem cell treatment in providing sustainable results for the disorder.

A child with autism: causes and symptoms

ASD is a neurobiological disorder with an unknown etiology; however, scientists believe the cause could be a combination of genetics and environmental triggers.

Genetic factors

Genetics plays a crucial role in the onset of ASD, as several genes are linked to the disorder. Families with a history of autism are most likely to pass it on to the next generations.

Environmental factors

Several environmental factors can also trigger ASD among children. These can be prenatal and perinatal factors such as infections during pregnancy, deadly exposure to environmental toxins, and pregnancy complications. Moreover, prenatal exposure to thalidomide and valproic acid has also been associated with an increased risk of onsetting autism.

Symptoms of autism

This can affect an individual in several ways; however, some of the common symptoms of ASD can include:

• difficulty in social communications;
• repetitive and restricted behaviors;
• difficulty in social interactions;
• sensory sensitivities;
• limited interests.

It’s important to know that these signs may vary from person to person, and no two autistic individuals can have the exact same symptoms.

Management of autism with stem cells

For their paracrine, immunomodulatory, homing, and multidirectional differentiation capacity, stem cells have shown potential as a therapeutic approach towards managing ASD symptoms.

In ASD patients, stem cells help modulate the immune system by suppressing the immune response and inflammations while promoting tissue repair and regeneration.

In particular, the mesenchymal stem cell transplant process has been shown to reduce brain inflammation by releasing various growth factors and anti-inflammatory cytokines to modulate the immune response and initiate tissue repair. These factors help:

1. Reduce inflammations.
2. Protect neurons from further degeneration.
3. Stimulate the growth of new cells in affected areas.

Some of the chief anti-inflammatory factors include:

• Interleukin-10 (IL-10)
• Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta)
• Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)
• Nerve growth factor (NGF)

Are stem cells from the placenta or cord blood safe for treating autism?

Using stem cells from the placenta or umbilical cord blood is a relatively new procedure. However, evidence supports that intravenous infusion of cord stem cells in children with ASD is safe and effective for the treatment outcomes.

Several clinical trials prove that cord blood stem cells can help repair the immune system functions within autistic children and improve language and speech delays and other behavioral issues.

There are several potential benefits of using donated placenta or cord blood stem cells for stem cell treatment, which include:

1. Reduced brain inflammations.
2. Regeneration of damaged brain tissues and neural cells.
3. Neuroprotective effects protect the existing brain cells from further degeneration.
4. Stem cell transplant process is a quick and painless procedure, although it is to be performed under medical control.
5. Fewer side effects compared to traditional interventions and medications.

The latest relevant news from scientists (stem cell therapy for autism research)

Cell-based stem therapies are a rapidly evolving area in stem cell research for autism. A recent phase II trial conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of stem cells found the procedure safe and well-tolerated by the patients. Moreover, researchers noticed visible improvements in patients’ language and social skills.

However, it is important to note that there is no known cure for ASD. The majority of existing interventions and treatments only work to manage symptoms and develop the necessary skills for an autistic person to lead an independent life.

Conclusion

Stem cell therapy autism is a promising treatment for neurodiverse individuals for improving social and behavioral disorders. An early diagnosis and designed treatment plan can significantly reduce the symptoms from worsening and help build on skills for a better quality of life. Do you agree that stem cells can provide a modern solution for this disorder?