Hi All,
Happy to find your group here online! It hasn't been easy to locate much in-depth discussion of stem cell treatment options.
I have a wonderful little boy, ten months old, who sustained a moderate hypoxic brain injury at birth due to a tight nuchal cord.
He is thriving cognitively, socially, and emotionally but his fluctuating muscle tone has created motor delays (still does not sit and can just barely scoot a bit on the carpet, delayed fine motor skills). He is also on a g-tube and has no interest in oral nutrition despite lots of therapy. He is at risk for an athetoid CP diagnosis.
Happily, Heath was accepted to the following clinical trial at the University Hospital in Monterrey, Mexico:
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01019733
"Detailed Description:
There is accumulating evidence that shows that the placement of hematopoietic cells in the brain may increase growth-enhancing factors of axons and generate active neurons in the receptor. It has been found that after introducing hematopoietic cells in the subarachnoid space of the spinal cord, these cells may be transported through the cerebrospinal fluid and can be deliver more efficiently to the injured area, when compared to the intravenous route. Patients will be stimulated 5 times and then harvest the bone marrow. Bone marrow will be processed in order to obtain hematopoietic cells (CD34+) and minimize the erythrocytes amount. A inoculum of 8 to 10mL of stem cells will be infused intrathecally. Patients will be evaluated with the "Battelle Developmental Inventory" before the procedure and one and three months after that."
I know many of you have done extensive research on treatment options and safety considerations. Our medical team here in Seattle is not able to weigh in on the safety of this procedure, but we are very inclined to have Heath participate, based on what we have been able to dig up ourselves on PubMed. Also, a physician member of ICMS was kind enough to examine the details of the study and reply anonymously through David. He said the bone marrow aspirate concentrate is safe and the lumbar puncture method of delivery is valid.
Have any of you come across data to the contrary? What gives me pause is that I emailed Joanne Kurtzman of Duke University fame (treated kids with CP with their own cord blood) and she replied with a one-liner stating that she did not think this method of delivery was safe and she did not recommend this therapy. I'm confused as to why (beyond the usual risks of anesthesia, infection, etc.) and she is I believe too busy to elaborate. Perhaps there are liability issues if she advises me, as the technique is unproven? Have emailed several authors of medical articles on related topics and received no response as of yet.
Would very much appreciate any insight you all have gained through your own research or names of qualified US doctors or researchers willing to consult on such matters. Many thanks and good luck to all!
Shawntain
Happy to find your group here online! It hasn't been easy to locate much in-depth discussion of stem cell treatment options.
I have a wonderful little boy, ten months old, who sustained a moderate hypoxic brain injury at birth due to a tight nuchal cord.
He is thriving cognitively, socially, and emotionally but his fluctuating muscle tone has created motor delays (still does not sit and can just barely scoot a bit on the carpet, delayed fine motor skills). He is also on a g-tube and has no interest in oral nutrition despite lots of therapy. He is at risk for an athetoid CP diagnosis.
Happily, Heath was accepted to the following clinical trial at the University Hospital in Monterrey, Mexico:
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01019733
"Detailed Description:
There is accumulating evidence that shows that the placement of hematopoietic cells in the brain may increase growth-enhancing factors of axons and generate active neurons in the receptor. It has been found that after introducing hematopoietic cells in the subarachnoid space of the spinal cord, these cells may be transported through the cerebrospinal fluid and can be deliver more efficiently to the injured area, when compared to the intravenous route. Patients will be stimulated 5 times and then harvest the bone marrow. Bone marrow will be processed in order to obtain hematopoietic cells (CD34+) and minimize the erythrocytes amount. A inoculum of 8 to 10mL of stem cells will be infused intrathecally. Patients will be evaluated with the "Battelle Developmental Inventory" before the procedure and one and three months after that."
I know many of you have done extensive research on treatment options and safety considerations. Our medical team here in Seattle is not able to weigh in on the safety of this procedure, but we are very inclined to have Heath participate, based on what we have been able to dig up ourselves on PubMed. Also, a physician member of ICMS was kind enough to examine the details of the study and reply anonymously through David. He said the bone marrow aspirate concentrate is safe and the lumbar puncture method of delivery is valid.
Have any of you come across data to the contrary? What gives me pause is that I emailed Joanne Kurtzman of Duke University fame (treated kids with CP with their own cord blood) and she replied with a one-liner stating that she did not think this method of delivery was safe and she did not recommend this therapy. I'm confused as to why (beyond the usual risks of anesthesia, infection, etc.) and she is I believe too busy to elaborate. Perhaps there are liability issues if she advises me, as the technique is unproven? Have emailed several authors of medical articles on related topics and received no response as of yet.
Would very much appreciate any insight you all have gained through your own research or names of qualified US doctors or researchers willing to consult on such matters. Many thanks and good luck to all!
Shawntain