Nitetrain-
Sorry about jumping into the middle of the discussion. But it seems that you have done an MRI beforehand and plan on doing an MRI afterwards, post 6 months. It would be very interesting to know if differences that can be tied directly to the stem cell transplant can be seen on the MRI. Are you doing any other therapies at the moment such as HBOT or nutritional supplements?
If no appreciable differences can be seen in the MRI but functional improvements are noted, might it that mean that the health and functionality of the existing neuronal/glial cells interactions has improved but no new neuronal cells have occurred? Do you know if MRI's also measure glia cells?
Thanks,
David Snow
No apology neccessary, this is how we are going to learn about these new treatments being offered....
MRIs -- We will have MRI post injury, MRI post 160 HBOT and Sept 2010 we will have MRI post stem cell treatment...
Not sure if glial cells are measured for either of these MRI..But I will find out and edit here...
My son has a weak left eye, and I am almost positive this is where the seizures are originating..
So other then school therapy, we are solely focusing on strengthen the left eye connections...
And no supplements offered, just proper nutrition....
Plus we are about to have a newborn in 6 weeks, so I am positive that will be plenty of stimulation during summer break

.....
If no appreciable differences can be seen in the MRI but functional improvements are noted, might it that mean that the health and functionality of the existing neuronal/glial cells interactions has improved? I believe these improvements happen during first 6 weeks...Maybe improving the easy fixes first?....And the rest of stem cells are being prepared for transformation?...Again MRI and 4-6 month period should be the deciding factor...
I have discontinued any HBO treatments post stem cell treatment..For the reason of not knowing HBO full effects post stem cell treatment....
And for the reason of wanting to know what effects on the brain for each individual therapy and/or combination of therapys (stem cell and HBO)...
For comparison to assure I am offering the best combination of therapy for my son..
The improvements in the coming months should be tied directly to new nerve cell growth..(MRI should confirm)
Due to his inability to improve and surpass any physical developmental milestones during intensive conventional therapy from 6 months - 2.4 years of age..
(HBO started at 2.5 years)...
My son will turn 4 years of age in August of 2010...
There has been some improvements physically in the past, post HBOT...
There is no doubt, that I can tie those improvements as a direct result of HBOT..
My opinion HBO increases blood flow to damaged tissue during treatments..
Connections can be made during this time and soon after treatments..
But a few months after treatments, it seems those improvements regress..
Much like viagra, increases blood flow for a certain amount of time only to return to normal blood flow, same concept for HBO...
Also interesting to note..My son had the highest number of stem cell injected compared to the group of 16...Possibly HBO and/or severity of injury....
The initial improvements after stem cell seemed to mimic the temporary improvements seen during and after HBO...
Possibility growth factors/cytokines? helped finalize and make HBO improvements more permanently...
Initial improvements have seemed to stabalize, so something happened within first 6 weeks post stem cell treatment...
Other parents are begining to see additional improvements during 4-6 months period...
My son will be nearing this time period at the end of July....
Note: His seizure activity have not helped much in the process of improvements or measurement of improvements..
SO hopefully the remaining 15 percent of seizure activity will soon disappear...
Hopefully, this study will continue to Phase II and we might add HBO into the equation after Phase II of stem cell treatment..
All depending on final results of Phase I.....
Of course this is all my opinion, but this is where my thought process is at the moment...