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The damaged heart can progress through various stages including inflammation, heart cell injury and death, scar formation, compensation by adjacent tissue and perhaps gradual degeneration towards congestive heart failure. Until recently, non-invasive methods of restoring heart function included hyperbaric oxygen and external counterpulsation. Currently, a variety of cord stem cells (CD34+, CD133+, and cord mesenchymal stem cells) and growth factors are being considered that would help repair damaged blood vessels as well as restore heart muscle cell (cardiomyocyte) function in the injured areas of the heart.
Click here to see the patient experience on heart attack victims Disease and stem cells.
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Parkinson's Disease is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by tremor, rigidity of limbs and body, slowness of movement and loss of balance and coordination. These characteristics were described in ancient Ayurvedic literature in India 6500 years ago. In 1817, James Parkinson described the disorder as "shaking palsy."
In the 1960's, the loss of dopamine-producing neurons was found to be a cause of the symptoms. Those suffering from Parkinson's Disease may have an 80% or more loss in the neurons that produce dopamine. This severe deficiency causes neurons in a part of the brain called corpus striatum to fire unevenly and sporadically, resulting in an inability to execute smooth movements. Factors that contribute to the destruction of dopamine-producing neurons include genetic susceptibility, toxic chemicals such as pesticides and air pollution, infections (including prenatal infections), hypoxia, homocysteine, heavy metal toxicity and free radical damage.
Wholistic treatments for Parkinson's Disease can include chelation therapy and antioxidant i.v. therapies. The growth factor, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor has been shown to protect dopamine neurons, especially when infused into the putamen area of the brain. Umbilical cord stem cells differentiate well into glial cells and glial cells have a protective effect on neurons, including dopamine neurons. Umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cells have been shown to reduce Parkinson symptoms in laboratory animals and several human subjects without any detrimental side effects associated with other stem cell sources.
A comprehensive program that includes a combination of stem cells (including CD34+, CD133+, and mesenchymal stem cells) from human umbilical cord is recommended for the treatment of Parkinson's Disease. Click here to see the patient experience on Parkinson's Disease and stem cells.
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Umbilical cord blood has been used since 1988 for treating primarily malignant diseases. The hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells from cord blood restore blood, bone marrow and immune function after radiation or chemotherapy.
In addition, stem cells themselves may fight against cancers. Neural stem cells have been found to release cytokines and growth factors that inhibit the proliferation of glioma cells by 28-87%. Also, stem/progenitor cells from human umbilical cord blood have been found to prolong the life of mouse models for prostate cancer.
Recently, Dr. Steenblock designed a cord stem cell that is transfected with genes that generate cancer fighting cytokines. The stem cells essentially become factories that churn out anti-tumor factors. These cord stem cells have been successful in fighting prostate cancer in laboratory animals.
Prostate cancer is the second leading cancer-related cause of death in American men. Clinics in Mexico are now using these cells for terminal cancer patients and seeing positive results such as significant reductions in pain, increases in appetite, tumor shrinkage and an improved quality of life. These cells also seem to work well against leukemia and other types of cancers . Click here to see the research on Stem Cells and Cancer.
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Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory, autoimmune, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that destroys myelin, oligodendrocytes, and axons (14). Between 250,000 - 350,000 people in the United States alone suffer from Multiple Sclerosis. The name relates to the multiple hardened (sclerotic) lesions and scars in the brain and spinal cord. Initial symptoms may include extreme fatigue, vertigo, optic neuritis, and numbness in the extremities. Most patients experience relapsing-remitting episodes that over time can lead to progressive neurological deterioration.
Current therapies for MS are designed to delay disease progression by immuno-modulation or immunosuppression. Until recently, the slowing accumulating neurological damage has remained mostly irreversible. Today, there is increased optimism about slowing and perhaps reversing the disease with a comprehensive program that includes stem cell therapies along with therapies that improve blood circulation, myelin regeneration, mitochondrial energy production and dietary, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant factors.
Several factors can increase the maturation of oligodendrocytes, including thyroid hormone, platelet derived growth factor-A, CD45, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurotrophin-3. Fyn tyrosine kinase is an additional factor that can increase the production of myelin base protein production for remyelination of axons. This fyn gene is reported to be diminished in aging rats.
Mouse models of multiple sclerosis showed a significant reduction in axonal lesions in multiple locations (multifocal) with the infusion of adult neural stem cells. The use of hematopoietic stem cells from healthy donors may also help repopulate the immune system with the cell genetics for less autoimmune reactions.
Several patients who have gone to Mexico for stem cell therapies for MS have reported that the stem cells help stabilize their symptoms for several months. Because MS is often progressive, additional treatment were needed at six month intervals to maintain the improvements made. We are now looking at genetic testing for patients to determine if they are deficient for the fyn gene and if so, whether umbilical cord stem cells transfected with the fyn gene will help extend the benefits of cord stem cell therapy.
Stem cells transfected with the fyn gene have worked well in animal models of MS and seem to be working in a couple of rapidly progressing MS patients treated in Mexico. In those with normal levels of the gene, there is also the option of giving neurotrophin-3 with the cord stem cells as well as increasing CD45 markers with the use of mesenchymal stem cells. There are a number of combinations that can be tried and compared, depending on the individual's deficiencies. These various possibilities should give greater hope to those who suffer from MS.
Click here to see the patient experience on Multiple Sclerosis and stem cells.
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Brain imaging scans of cerebral palsy children show hypoperfusion, (a lack of blood flow) in various regions of the brain, including the thalamus, cerebellum and/or basal ganglia. Umbilical cord derived stem cells have the ability to help repair the entire system by
stimulating angiogenesis, the development of new blood vessels to the damaged areas,
repairing the white matter through the production of glial cells
repairing the grey matter through the stimulation of growth factors and direct or indirect stimulation of neurogenesis,
dividing into new neurons once the oxygen and nutrient supply can support them,
strengthening of muscle tissue and
improving immune function.
Cerebral palsy is the best responder to umbilical cord stem cells. In twenty children who we have follow up information on, about 85% had mild to significant improvement within a five month follow-up period. One of the first signs of improvement is muscle tone, often followed by an increased vocabulary, socialization and improved comprehension.
Cerebral palsy may respond well to cord stem cells because the cells differentiate predominantly into glial progenitors that promote white matter repair. Most of those children who have made some progress after stem cell therapy are continuing with several treatments a year. They also continue with physical, occupational and/or speech therapy.
We recommends that before children are treated with cord stem cells (or other therapies), that they be checked for heavy metal toxicity through a DMSA challenge and checked for infections and any anerobic overgrowth in the GI tract.
Click here to see the research on Stem Cells and Cerebral Palsy.
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Ischemic stroke often results from a blockage in the blood supply to an area of the brain. The tissue most affected quickly dies off, followed by increasing dysfunction in the surrounding tissue from secondary causes such as inflammation, edema, and oxidative stress.
A comprehensive program of rehabilitation that includes cord stem cell therapy is advised for both acute and chronic stroke patients. Current programs in hyperbaric oxygen therapy, external counterpulsation, neuroprotective intravenous therapies and physical therapy are recommended. When plateaus are reached in improvement, treatments with cord stem cells are available in Guangzhou.
Intravenous infusions are effective for young adults and catheter surgery provides better results for older patients. Combinations of stem cells (including cord blood derived CD34+, CD133+ and mesenchymal stem cells) can also be used that are more effective than any one type of cord blood stem cell alone.
Click here for research on stroke treatment through stem cell therapies.
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We have observed that young adults such as those in car accidents or veterans from Iraq who have suffered traumatic brain injuries respond well to intravenous treatments of human umbilical cord stem cells.
A comprehensive program of antioxidants, neuroprotectors, physical therapy and counseling further increases recovery in TBI patients. we provide pre and posting evaluations of stem cell treatments returning with traumatic brain injuries. Click here for research on brain trauma therapies.
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There are two dramatic reports from China that demonstrate that cord stem cells can correct the exon 19 deletion and improve muscle tone in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Click here for research on Muscular Dystrophy and Stem Cell Treatments.
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Huntington's Disease is a genetic autosomal dominant disorder clinically characterized by progressive neural degeneration. The disease involves a trinucleotide repeat disorder of the huntingtin (htt) gene on chromosome 4 that results in abnormal movements, dementia, and psychiatric syndromes .
Treatment with human umbilical cord stem cells can prolong the life of animal models of Huntington's disease. Plans are now in process to test cord stem cells transfected with the normal htt gene on animal models of Huntington's Disease. Treatments can also be improved with growth factors such as BDNF, CNTF, neurturin and/or neurotrophins. For more information on Huntington's Disease, click here.
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Cord mesenchymal stem cells can be beneficial in regenerating the pancreas and restoring normal insulin release. In addition, hematopoietic stem cells found in cord blood are beneficial in restoring normal immune function in autoimmune disorders.
Mice models of type 1 diabetes administered human umbilical cord blood cells showed significantly lowered blood glucose levels and increased longevity compared with the untreated control group. None of the mice died who received the highest dosage of stem cells (200 million).
Cord stem cells can also reduce diabetic neuropathy by differentiating into neurons as well as by releasing growth factors that can help protect neural tissue from oxidative stress. For more information on Diabetes and stem cell treatment, click here.
China medical tourism--Diabetes 1 and 2--Stem cell therapy
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If the limbus area of the cornea is injured or damaged, it can reduce the number of proliferating stem cells. If the corneal stem cells are reduced or eliminated, there is a gradual loss of transparency in the cornea and the formation of scar tissue. Cord stem cell treatments that include CD34 cells may be of benefit to some of these conditions.
However, in cases where neovascularization (the formation of new blood vessels) is a part of the pathology, such as macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, hyperbaric oxygen treatments may produce better results than stem cells. A lack of oxygen is generally the initial cause of the growth of new blood vessels and oxygen and antioxidant treatments may help repair eye tissue without increasing neovascularization that can interfere with the retinal center visual field.
Recently catheter surgery was used to place umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells directly into the blood vessels that feed the macula area of a patient's eye. A week later, the person was able to see close images again after being blind for several years.
In three cases of children with cortical blindness, treatments in China using umbilical cord derived stem cells with a predominance of CD133+ neural progenitor cells resulted in moderate to significant improvements in vision. For research on vision and stem cell therapy, click here.
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The clinical characteristics of Down syndrome, caused by the triplication of the fragment 21q22 of chromosome 21 (trisomy 21) include mental retardation, craniofacial abnormalities, clinical defects of the heart, gut and immune system, and an increased risk of other diseases, including leukemia and Alzheimer's disease. Down syndrome is further complicated by the accumulation of toxic amyloid beta deposits in the brain and perhaps blood vessels.
A comprehensive medical program that includes
1) Eliminating infections
2) Eliminating metal toxicity
3) Providing mitochondrial support (to produce ATP energy for the cell)
4) Providing antioxidants (to reduce amyloid beta and for neuroprotection)
5) Providing growth factors for neuroprotection and neurogenesis
6) Providing umbilical cord stem cells (especially cells transfected with needed genes)
holds promise for reducing some of the symptoms of Down syndrome. This is a new frontier for human umbilical cord stem cells and one that is very exciting. We are optimistic because some of the children with cerebral palsy have responded to cord stem cells with cognitive improvements, including improvements in comprehension, logic, increased vocabulary, learning and memory.
For research on Down syndrome, click here.
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Mesenchymal stem cells are proving to have significant effects on a variety of autoimmune type of problems such as rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, Lupus, colitis, mixed connective tissue disease, scleroderma, etc. Good improvement in osteoarthritis has also been seen with the intravenous administration of primitive hematopoietic stem cells (CD34+CD133+).
In general, the best results are thought to occur with the direct administration of the cells directly into the joint(s) or immediately around the joint. Osteoarthritic joints where there is no longer cartilage have also shown improvement with administration of cord stem cells directly into the joint.
There are a number of advantages to using human umbilical cord stem cells that do not require immune suppression and which can help balance immune function by changing the genetics of the immune reactive cells. Several patients diagnosed with stroke or other conditions who received cord stem cells in Mexico reported that their arthritis pain subsided.
There is also an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis which may be in part due to reduced numbers of endothelial progenitor cells circulating in the peripheral blood. Providing cord stem cells to RA patients may help reduce cardiovascular risk as well as reduce joint damage.
In addition to stem cell therapies, the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis requires a comprehensive program that includes detoxification and nutritional therapies. In addition, there are also pulsating magnetic beds available that can stimulate bone remodeling and help to correct structural abnormalities associated with severe osteoarthritis of the spine. For research on arthritis, click here.
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Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by diffuse motor neuron degeneration. The disorder leads to paralysis of the skeletal muscle and premature death, often by respiratory failure. About 20% of those with ALS may have mutations in copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD-1) that allow neuronal damage by oxidative stress.
Several patients with ALS have gone to China for intravenous therapies with umbilical cord stem/progenitor cells (CD34+/CD133+). They reported initial improvement but required periodic stem cell treatments to maintain those improvements. ALS patients require a comprehensive program that includes detoxification, nutritional therapies as well as cord stem cells and perhaps genetic therapies.
Treatment options now becoming available include a combination of neural progenitors and mesenchymal stem cells from umbilical cord and cord stem cells transfected with the SOD-1 gene (for those who have the SOD-1 mutation). Growth factors such as glial derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), Human Growth Hormone, or insulin growth factors may also be helpful in protecting motor neurons. For research on ALS, click here.
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Several animal studies have shown that stem cells derived from human umbilical cord blood have the ability to improve neurological function after spinal cord injury. The stem cells migrate to the injured area and divide into neurons and astrocytes. The most dramatic use of human umbilical cord stem cells in a spinal cord injury was reported in China, A 37 year old woman who had been confined to a wheel chair for 19 years showed improvement in foot sensation and hip and thigh movement within 41 days of the surgery. CT and MRI analyses showed regeneration of the spinal cord at the injured site. With physical therapy, the patient was gradually able to walk again with a walker. Subsequently, the patient got an infection from a second surgery and has been regressing. However, that should not detract from the fact that improvements were initially made.
Since immunosuppression can have detrimental effects on bone formation as well as neuronal development, better results may be possible with cord stem cells. A comprehensive program that includes umbilical cord stem cells, nutritional therapies, physical therapy, neural growth factors and magnetic beds is recommended for spinal cord patients. The antioxidant, superoxide dismutase, is reported to help reduce oxidative stress and increase neuroprotective factors and similar antioxidants can be included with the stem cell treatments to help promote greater recovery. For research on spinal cord injuries and stem cells, click here.
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Approximately 1% of the population has epilepsy. While most patients gain control of their seizures from medications, those with intractable focal epilepsies may respond to umbilical cord stem cells.
Seizures have numerous underlying causes. One such cause could be an attempt of the brain to increase neurogenesis (the development of new neurons and/or neural growth factors) for the repair and replacement of dead or dysfunctional brain cells. Multipotent cord stem cells have the ability to stimulate regenerative processes in the brain, either directly or through the release of neural growth factors.
There have been three patients who were treated with umbilical cord stem cells in China who reported that their seizures were significantly reduced in number and severity within 30 days of the treatment. Medications were correspondingly reduced and in some cases, no longer needed. Adenosine release from stem cell implants has also been reported to significantly reduce seizures in rat models of epilepsy. In addition, there is research support for the use of cord stem cells transfected with the genes of deficient neurotransmitters such as GABA, or deficient peptides such as galanin or neuropeptide Y. Click here for research on epilepsy and stem cell therapy.
China medical tourism--Epilepsy--Stem Cell therapy 2
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Sickle cell anemia is an inherited disorder that is associated with a variety of clinical symptoms. While human umbilical cord stem cells have been used successfully in patients with sickle cell disorders, more promising results may come from transfected stem cells with genes that are shown to be deficient or mutated in the person's genetic screening. For research on Sickle Cell Anemia and Stem Cell Therapy click here.
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Hepatitis B
10 characteristics stem cell therapy of liver disease
· Specificity - Specializing in hepatitis B virus (HBV).
· Target tropism - DC, installed navigation system, plays a role of T lymphocytes with target to have high accuracy.
· Go-aheadsim - When transfused, active DC cells induced specific CTL response in vivo actively.
· Highly active - Initiatively search and attack HBV.
· Omnibearing - Stimulate specific CTL responses; DC cells induce T cells activation and produce immunes CIK.
· Memory - TCL in vivo has memory. It will kill HBV again to prevent infection.
· Longevity - This kind of long-term presence of anti-HBV-specific immune function in vivo can prevent recurrence.
· Individuation – According to the different types of virus genes in patients’ body, analyses individual viral resistance and does targeted treatment.
· Security - It kills HBV specially and safely.
Standard of stem cell therapy curing hepatitis
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Response type
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Improve
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Basic cure
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Biochemical response
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Slightly abnormal or normal in ALT levels
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ALT levels returned to normal
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Virus Response
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50% reduction in HBV-DNA
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HBV-DNA clearance or inhibition < 105cps/ml
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Virus markers response
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50% reduction in HBV-M
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"E" seroconversion, HBeAg disappeared + anti-HBe production
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Histological response
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Histological response Liver histological recovery, light-spot of type-B ultrasonic improvement, activity index ≥ 1
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Significant recovery of liver histological features, activity index of organization compared with pre-therapy fell ≥ 2 points, significant improvement of type-B ultrasonic light-spot
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Complete response
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Low HBsAg quantitative, consistent with standard of biochemical improvement in viral response
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HBsAg is negative and consistent with biochemical virus response criteria
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Treatment Effect
Healing:
· Liver function returned to normal, and symptoms disappeared completely.
· Biochip showed HBV-DNA, HBsAg, HBeAg negative.
· Liver fibrosis was inhibited significantly, hepatic tissue recovery, type-B ultrasonic light-spot significantly improved, and returned to normal.
Improvement:
· Liver function is slightly abnormal, and symptoms disappears.
· Biochip shows concentrations of HBV-DNA, HBsAg, HBeAg decrease significantly.
Invalid:
· liver function is abnormal, and symptoms are obvious.
· Biochip shows no significance in decrease or increase of concentrations of HBV-DNA, HBsAg, HBeAg.
Experimental Stem Cell Therapy for Cirrhosis
Adult stem cells provide real improvement for cirrhosis patients
Mesenchymal Stem Cells Treat Liver Cirrhosis
Hepatitis C virus and allogeneic stem cell transplantation still matters!
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Stem cells are not fully differentiated and immature cells with the potential function of regeneration of various tissues and organs, which is called "million by cell” in medical community.
From research, the root cause of human aging is that the number of stem cells decreased and the ability of differentiation reduced, so only through transplanting stem cells in vitro to increase the number of stem cells in vivo and restore early-stage quality of stem cells can fundamentally suppress aging and effectively extend the life time.
After transplanting stem cells into the human body, the body will demand, value-added, differentiated a large number of young cells to replace the aging of the cells in vivo, which will make the body regain homeostasis, repair of all the organizations and organs in time and rapid enhancement of body physiological function. With young cells increasing and senile cells decreasing, the body will definitely return to young state. From the differentiation perspective, the sooner the transplantation of stem cells, the stronger the cell differentiation and the faster refresh rates. Thus it can fundamentally change the general senility of human body cells.
In addition, because stem cells can make hypoderm turgor and improve the ability of cell replacement, the skin wrinkles and pigmentation will gradually be reduced. With gradual improvement of the body enginery, people will become relaxed. So transplanted stem cells through restoring the balance and update of body cells to comprehensively improve body enginery, keep people healthy, improve the quality of life and prolong life time.
Precautions:
· No local lesion in surgical site infected.
· Forbidden to take anticoagulant drugs and aspirin a half months before surgery.
· Take physical examination before surgery to ensure their own health, quality in mind and able to correctly regard results of operations, and no serious organ disease, no blood clotting disease, no diabetes and autoimmune diseases and neurological movement disorders.
· Women should avoid preoperative bathing to keep clean during menstrual period as far as possible.
Notes after Surgery:
· Reduce activities as much as possible for recovery and detumescence, but no bed rest.
· Take anti-inflammatory drugs for 3 to 5 days according to medical advice.
· Use elastic bandage as much as possible after half a month of surgery, raise wounded limb to avoid hematoma and help tighten skin
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20) Improve outcome for those with Ataxia
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Cerebellar ataxia is a form of ataxia originating in the cerebellum.[1] Spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) is a progressive, degenerative,[1] genetic disease with multiple types, each of which could be considered a disease in its own right. Ataxia (from Greek α- [used as a negative prefix] [order], meaning "lack of order") is a neurological sign and symptom consisting of gross lack of coordination of muscle movements. Ataxia is a non-specific clinical manifestation implying dysfunction of parts of the nervous system that coordinate movement, such as the cerebellum. Several possible causes exist for these patterns of neurological dysfunction. The term "dystaxia" is rarely used as a synonym.
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| 21)Improve outcome for those with Batten disease |
For the treatment of Batten disease, our doctors prefer to use neural stem cells, and in the treatment procedure, there are 4 separate stem cell injections (once per week) with 5 million stem cells in each injection. According to our clinical research and laboratory tests an individual can only handle a limited number of stem cells from external sources effectively. For children suffering from Batten disease, 5 million stem cells in each injection is the most effective number. If we implanted more stem cells into the patient's body there would be no improvement but it would add to the cost and more importantly, it would add a risk of developing encephalitis and other side effects. Back to top |
| 22) Improve outcome for those with Multiple system atrophy |
Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a degenerative neurological disorder. MSA is associated with the degeneration of nerve cells in specific areas of the brain. This cell degeneration causes problems with movement, balance and autonomic functions of the body such as bladder control. The cause of MSA is unknown and no specific risk factors have been identified.
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| 23) Improve outcome for those with Autism |
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