What is autism?
Autism Treatment
What is the rationale behind using stem cells to treat autism?
Current investigative therapies for autism attempt to reverse these abnormalities through administration of antibiotics, anti‐inflammatory agents, and hyperbaric oxygen. Unfortunately, none of these approaches address the root causes of oxygen deprivation and intestinal inflammation.
Mesenchymal stem cells can regulate the immune system. It is thought that they may help to reverse inflammatory conditions and is currently in the final stages of clinical trials in the US for Crohn’s disease, a condition resembling the gut inflammation in autistic children.
Through administration of mesenchymal stem cells, we have observed improvement in patients treated at our facilities. The biological basis for our scientists in the peer published treatment method reviewed in the Journal of Translational Medicine: Stem Cell Therapy for Autism .
Which types of stem cells are used to treat autism and how are they obtained?
The adult stem cells used to treat autism at the Stem Cell Institute come from human umbilical cord tissue (allogeneic mesenchymal). These stem cells are recovered from donated umbilical cords. Before they are approved for treatment all umbilical cord-derived stem cells are screened for viruses and bacteria to International Blood Bank Standards. In some cases, we also utilize CD34+ stem cells harvested from the patient’s own bone marrow.
Umbilical cord-derived stem cells are ideal for the treatment of autism because they allow our physicians to administer uniform doses and they do not require any stem cell collection from the patient, which for autistic children and their parents, can be an arduous process. Because they are collected right after (normal) birth, umbilical cord-derived cells are much more potent than their “older” counterparts like bone marrow-derived cells for instance. Cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells pose no rejection risk because the body does not recognize them as foreign.
Because HUCT stem cells are less mature than other cells, the body’s immune system is unable to recognize them as foreign and therefore they are not rejected. We’ve treated hundreds of patients with umbilical cord stem cells and there has never been a single instance rejection (graft vs. host disease). HUCT stem cells also proliferate/differentiate more efficiently than “older” cells, such as those found in the bone marrow and therefore, they are considered to be more “potent”.
What are the advantages of treating with allogeneic umbilical cord tissue-derived stem cells?
- Because HLA matching is not necessary, anyone can be treated.
- Allogeneic stem cells can be administered multiple times over the course of days in uniform dosages that contain high cell counts.
- Umbilical cord tissue provides an abundant supply of mesenchymal stem cells.
- No need to collect stem cells from the patient’s hip bone or fat under anesthesia, which especially for small children and their parents, can be an unpleasant ordeal.
- There is a growing body of evidence showing that umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells are more robust than mesenchymal stem cells from other sources.
How are the stem cells administered for autism treatment?
The umbilical cord-derived stem cells are administered intravenously by a licensed physician. Depending upon the age and physical size of the patient, the stem cells might also be administered intrathecally (into the spinal fluid) by an experienced anesthesiologist. Intrathecal injection allows the stem cells to bypass the blood-brain barrier and migrate throughout the central nervous system. In certain cases, bone marrow-derived CD34+ stem cells are also administered both intravenously and intrathecally.
The autism treatment protocol typically takes 5 days.
Stem Cell Treatment: Autism *Protocols
*NOTE – Treatment protocol will be assigned by staff physicians after the patient has submitted all requested medical information and received approval.
Protocol 1:
- Treatment length (Monday – Friday): 1 week
- 4 intravenous infusions of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells
Protocol 2:
- Treatment length (Monday – Friday): 1 week
- 2 intravenous infusions of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells
- 2 intrathecal infusions of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells
Protocol 3:
- Treatment length (Monday – Friday): 2 weeks
- 2 intravenous infusions of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells
- 2 intrathecal infusions of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells
- 1 intravenous infusion of bone marrow-derived stem cells
- 1 intrathecal infusion of bone marrow-derived stem cells
What about follow-up after we return home from Panama?
Proper follow-up is an essential part of the autism treatment process. Our primary goal is to ensure that your child is progressing safely. Regular follow-up also enables us to evaluate efficacy and improve our autism treatment protocols based on observed outcomes.
Therefore, our medical staff will be contacting you after 1 month, 3 months, 4 months, and 1 year to monitor your child’s progress.
May I speak with the parents of any successfully treated patients?
Yes, you may. Once your child has been evaluated and approved for treatment by our medical team, your patient coordinator will be happy to put you in touch with a few.
We also welcome you to view testimonials, news articles and videos from treated cerebral palsy. Please take a look!
How do I request more information?
You may contact us by telephone 1 (800) 980-STEM (toll-free in US) and 1 (954) 636-3390.
Apply for treatment today
To apply for stem cell treatment, please complete this Patient Application Form.
Scientific Articles
Stem Cell Therapy for Autism
Ichim T, Solano F, Glenn E, Morales F, Smith L, Zabrecky G, Riordan Neil.
– Journal of Translational Medicine 2007, 5:30
Follow Us!