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Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder. It is characterized by muscle rigidity, tremor and a slowing of physical movement. This is caused by the degenerative character of the disease, which primarily affects the central nervous system and leads to an impairment of motor and speech skills and a number of other body functions.

Parkinson's disease is usually treated with drugs designed to mask its symptoms, thus helping patients live a more normal life, for a while. But eventually, the drugs become ineffective as the disease worsens. Another treatment which is gaining in popularity is deep brain stimulation; a surgical treatment involving the implantation of a medical device called a brain pacemaker, which sends electrical impulses to specific parts of the brain.

 

The Cells4health Parkinson's Stem Cell Treatment

The Parkinson's stem cell treatment differs from standard methods because, in contrast to temporarily masking symptoms with drugs or implanted devices, it is a drug-free alternative focused on affecting humoral and physical changes in the brain, which can improve a patient's quality of life.

In a pilot survey, more than 60% of the Parkinson's patients treated with stem cells reported improvements.

Parkinson's patients are treated by injecting the stem cells into the bloodstream intravenously and/or by lumbar puncture. Mannitol is administered to open the blood-brain barrier, which allows the stem cells to reach the central nervous system.

IV-Mannitol is an outpatient procedure which requires patients to stay 4 or 5 nights.

 

Diagnostics, Physical and Cognitive Assessment

Before stem cell implantation, each patient undergoes blood tests at the clinic and a comprehensive physical and cognitive assessment.

Parkinson's patients may also undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

 

Step 1 - Bone Marrow Collection

Bone marrow is collected from the patient's iliac crest (hip bone) using thin-needle mini-puncture under local anesthesia. Though some pain is felt when the needle is inserted, most patients do not find the bone marrow collection procedure particularly painful. The entire procedure normally takes about 30 minutes.

Once the bone marrow collection is complete, patients may return to their hotel and go about normal activities. Patients who receive general anesthesia must lie down for a short recovery period before returning to their hotel.

 

More detailed information on the bone marrow collection procedure is available in the Bone Marrow Informed Consent document (PDF file).

 

Step 2 - Laboratory Processing

The stem cells are processed from the bone marrow in a state-of-the-art, government approved (cGMP) laboratory. In the lab, both the quantity and quality of the stem cells are measured. These cells have the potential to transform into multiple types of cells and are capable of regenerating or repairing damaged tissue.

 

Step 3 - Stem Cell Implantation

The stem cells are implanted back into the patient by intravenous administration (IV) with Mannitol.

 

IV-Mannitol

A venous catheter is inserted into a vein in the right or left arm then Mannitol is introduced over a 20 minute period.  Mannitol is a safe, well-known drug which is used to open the blood-brain barrier in order to allow the passage of stem cells and other neurotropic factors into the brain and spinal canal.  Next, the stem cells are slowly introduced into the catheter to allow them to thoroughly mix with the blood as they enter the body.  No anesthesia is required for this procedure.  However, anesthesia can be administered if necessary.

 

More detailed information on the IV-Mannitol procedure is available in the IV-Mannitol Informed Consent Document (PDF File).

 

Lumbar puncture
A lumbar puncture is a puncture of the spinal canal using a fine needle, beveled at the front, in the lumbar region (lowest vertebrae of the back) of the spinal column for extracting spinal fluid (nerve or cerebral fluid). Lumbar punctures are primarily performed to diagnose for instance inflammatory disorders of the nervous system such as meningitis or multiple sclerosis. The extracted fluid, which is usually clear like water, in such cases is then examined in various ways in the laboratory.

During the LP for the stem cell therapy a volume of spinal fluid is extracted that is equivalent to the volume of your own stem cells intended for transplantation, so as little pressure difference as possible occurs in your spinal fluid space.
Changes in the pressure of the spinal fluid can cause headache. This pain is not dangerous and rarely lasts longer than 1 - 2 days, but the pain can be uncomfortable especially when getting up from a horizontal position due to the changing pressure ratios.

 

More detailed information on the LP procedure is available in the LP Informed Consent Document (PDF File).

 

Following Treatment

Patients treated by IV-Mannitol and/ or by lumbar puncture may return home the day after IV treatment.

 

Parkinson's Stem Cell Treatment Results

75 Patients, nearly 50% of the total cohort, did complete the clinical evaluation forms. Of these patients, 36 reported clinical improvements.

The other patients did not notice any clinical change or did mention natural disease progression.

According to 21 of those patients, their physicians did confirm their improvements; five patients were able to decrease and four patients could even fully discontinue their Parkinson's disease related medication.

Most patients reported a decrease of motor parkinsonism (N=29), including rigidity and tremor, resulting in improved speech (N=24), dexterity (N=23), swallowing (N=20), handwriting (N=20), and stability (N=19). Thirty patients also noticed increased motivation and/or initiative.

 

Click to view or print complete Parkinson's treatment results, including graphs (pdf)

 

In Patients' Own Words

Johannes Wolf - 72 years old
"…I no longer have any pain and I am completely drug free…"

 

Aubra Phillips - 59 years old
"…After the stem cell treatment I would no longer freeze…"

 

Ted Ebertsch - 66 years old
"…My neurologist saw me during this time and confirmed that I looked like I was doing very well…"

 

Jon Andresen - 71 years old
"…Now, I am walking like I was before I had Parkinson's…"

 

Treatment Evaluation Process

In order to be evaluated for stem cell treatment, patients must complete an online medical history form. Once you've completed the online medical history and submitted it, a patient relations consultant will contact you. He or she will assist you with the rest of the evaluation process. Upon treatment approval, your consultant will also assist you with treatment scheduling and trip preparation.

 

List of diseases treated

 

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