Advancements in Neurological Care with Neural Stem Cells

Neural stem cells (NSCs) are self-renewing, multipotent cells found in the central nervous system (CNS). Due to their neuroprotection and immunomodulation properties, NSCs may promote neural repair and regeneration.

At Swiss Medica, we only use the patient’s own NSCs, so there is no need for immunosuppressive drugs. 

NSCs Advantages for Neurological Conditions

NSCs have the great ability to multiply and create progeny cells. The latter in turn differentiate into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes, which are important for the correct functioning and repair of the CNS. 

Neurons or nerve cells are responsible for carrying information from the external world through the sense organs (such as the eyes and ears) to the brain, using electrical and chemical signals.

Astrocytes are responsible for metabolic, homeostatic, and neuroprotective tasks processes such as regulation of blood flow and control of sleep.

Astrocytes act as bridges among neurons, oligodendrocytes and other cells in the CNS.

Oligodendrocytes are cells of the CNS that contain a lot of fat that creates a cover around nerves and play an important role in neuronal communication.

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When Do We Use Neural Stem Cells

We apply neural stem cells therapy for a variety of conditions:

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS): NSCs can help repair damaged myelin and support neuronal function.
• Trauma: NSCs can promote the regeneration of damaged nerve tissues after injuries.
• Stroke: NSCs can contribute to the repair and recovery of brain tissue affected by stroke.

There is also a potential to use NSCs therapy for:

• Parkinson’s disease: Research shows that NSCs may potentially replace lost dopaminergic neurons.
• ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis): NSCs may slow down the progression of the neurodegenerative disease.
• Alzheimer’s disease: NSCs may potentially replace damaged neurons and enhance cognitive function.

Get a free online consultation

Want to know if your condition could potentially be treated with neural stem cells? Contact us to schedule a no-obligation online consultation. Our medical advisors will help determine if this type of therapy is suitable for you, or offer an alternative treatment.

Dr. Aleksandra Fetyukhina, MD

Medical Advisor, Swiss Medica doctor

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Advantages of Using NSCs Over MSCs in Nerve Tissue Regeneration

1. Better repair capabilities: NSCs are more effective in repairing damaged nerve tissue compared to MSCs.
2. Superior regeneration: NSCs have better regenerative effects than MSCs due to their specialized nature.
3. Broader range of repair capabilities: NSCs can differentiate into both neurons and glial cells, while MSCs may have limited differentiation abilities. This way, NSCs may replace or repair more types of cells in the nervous system.
4. High Differentiation Rate: In laboratory settings, up to 90% of NSCs differentiate into neurons, while only 10% of MSCs typically may do this in the body.

NSCs Collection and Preparation

At Swiss Medica, we only use autologous (the patient’s own) NSCs, which reduces the risk of immune rejection and related complications. Due to the lack of extensive research on the safety and efficiency of NSCs therapy in children, we do not employ these therapies for pediatric cases. 

We obtain the cells needed for the treatment by modulating them from MSCs collected from their bone marrow. These cells are grown in a laboratory environment until there are enough for the treatment.

The process of cultivation and modulation lasts approximately 1.5-2 months until they are suitable for therapeutic use. To ensure an adequate supply, we recommend maintaining a two-month reserve. 

These cells can be frozen for long-term storage if needed.

How Do We Deliver the NSCs

Neural stem cells therapy can be delivered in two ways:

• Intrathecally (into the spinal canal). This is the preferred option. Intrathecal injection is a safe, efficient, well-studied method that carries less risks of invasiveness and complications. Also, cells can easily travel through the cerebrospinal fluid and potentially reach multiple areas of the CNS, making it ideal for managing central nervous system conditions.
• Directly at the site of the lesion (the damaged area). This method is not currently practiced at Swiss Medica. Administering cells this way has more technical challenges and risks, such as introducing infections, damage to surrounding tissues, as well as extended post-operative care and hospitalization.

Dosages

For intrathecal administration, the typical dosage ranges from 50 to 70 million cells per procedure, with an average of 60 million cells diluted in 3 ml of solution.

Program Duration

The NSCs treatment program lasts for 4-5 days and can be repeated after one year if necessary. 

The program includes the following procedures:

Day 1: Evaluation of the patient’s condition and suitability for the treatment by our healthcare professionals.

Day 2: Administration of the NSCs cells intrathecally. The doctor performs the procedure using intrathecal kit and pencil point spinal needle and a local anesthetic to numb the skin.

Days 3 and 4: Monitoring for any adverse reactions or signs of improvement.

Combining with other cells

The NSCs therapy can also be combined with other types of cells, such as cells from the placenta, umbilical cord, and exosomes. This way, we may improve the therapeutic effects and support the regeneration process. 

Contraindications

Generally, the treatment with NSCs is well-tolerated and available for many patients. However, there are some contraindications to the procedure:

• Patients under the age of 18: Due to insufficient research and safety data in children.
• Patients taking anticoagulants: Anticoagulants can interfere with the body’s ability to clot blood, posing risks during or after the treatment. However, the procedure may be an option if it is possible to discontinue the drug.
• Patients with some blood clotting disorders: In this case, the procedure should be taken with caution, as the risk of complications increases.

Treatment Results

• After 6 months: positive effects of the neural stem cells therapy are expected to increase
• After one year: the effectiveness of the treatment may reduce

It is important to note that treatment results vary depending on the severity of the condition, the duration of the disease, and individual characteristics. For traumatic injuries, a single treatment may be sufficient. 

However, neurodegenerative diseases, such as MS or Parkinson’s disease, may require repeated treatments to support or improve the patient’s condition.

Side Effects

Although cell-based therapies cause no long-term side effects, some mild short-term effects are possible and include:

• Fever
• Headache 
• Chills
• Rash
• Localized swelling or redness at the site of the injection

These effects may be solved with painkillers or taking a rest after the procedure, and disappear within 24 hours. The likelihood of benign tumors developing as a side effect is below 1%. Finally, the cells do not migrate to other body systems, minimizing potential impacts on the patient’s health.

Contact us

If you still have any concerns or personal questions about the potential side effects of stem cell therapy, we invite you to discuss them with a medical advisor at Swiss Medica. Don’t hesitate to reach out for a personalized consultation.

Dr. Aleksandra Fetyukhina, MD

Medical Advisor, Swiss Medica doctor

Your Name Please fill out this field Phone Please fill out this field E-mail Please fill out this field

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