I fully agree with Dr. Feinerman, having no true knowledge other than what I have read. It seems that some doctors and clinics are quoting this huge numbers of cells simply to impress the patient or patient's families. Half a billion (500 million) cells is PREPOSTEROUS. No way. In one of my recent marrow treatments, I was told that the lab counted 3 million cells which was, supposedly a very good number.I HEAR OVER AND OVER AGAIN HOW VARIOUS DOCTORS
CLAIM VERY LARGE NUMBERS OF CELLS THAT THEY ADMINISTER.
THE NUMBER OF CELLS IN A SINGLE CORD UNIT THAT WAS SAVED FOR AN INFANT IS ACTUALLY NOT VERY HIGH. I AM HAPPY THAT THE CHILDREN SHE NAMES IMPROVED. HOWEVER, I STILL CONTEND THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS TO GET FIRST OF ALL IMMORTALIZED NEURON BRAIN STEM CELLS THAT ARE SPECIFIC AND MIXED WITH BRAIN DERIVED NEUROTRPOPHIC FACTOR; NERVE GROWTH FACTOR; NEUROTRPHINS; TRANSFORMING GROWTH FACTOR; GLIAL FACTOR AND THAT THEY MUST BE ADMINISTERED INTO THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.
AT THE PRESENT TIME I ACTUALLY THINK THAT THE BEST TREATMENT FOR CEREBRAL PALSY PATIENTS OF ANY AGE IS THE ADMINISTRATION OF IMMORTALIZED NEURON STEM CELLS; NERVE GROWTH FACTORS MENTIONED ABOVE AND USING INDUCED PLURIPOTENT STEM CELLS FROM THE PATIENT'S PERIPHERAL BLOOD (which is most important highly functional) OR IPC FROM CORD BLOOD FROM INFANCY THAT IS THEN ADMINISTERED INTO THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. READ TIME MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 9th ARTICLE OR LIFE EXTENSION ARTICLE ARTICLE NOVEMBER 2008 ISSUE.
HOW DO INFANT CORD STEM CELLS GIVEN INTRAVENOUSLY PASS THROUGH THE BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER? I HAVE BEEN TREATING CEREBRAL PALSY CHILDREN FOR FORTY FIVE YEARS. THE AGE OF THE CHILD OR IN SOME CASES TEEN-AGER OR EVEN ADULT WITH CEREBRAL PALSY IS A FACTOR. ALSO SOME HAVE BRAIN DAMAGE THAT ONLY AFFECTS THEIR MOTOR NEURONS WHEREAS AS OTHERS HAVE DAMAGE THAT AFFECTS THEIR INTELLECT, HEARING, VISION, COMPREHENSION. ONE HAS TO COMPARE APPLES WITH APPLES.
THE ONE WONDERFUL FACT WE NOW KNOW IS THE NEUROPLASTICITY OF THE BRAIN; THAT IT IS MALLEABLE AND CAN BE REPAIRED. IN ADDITION TO NEURON STEM CELLS AND NERVE GROWTH FACTORS THE ADMINISTRATION INTO THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM PATIENTS NEED EXTENSIVE PHYSICAL REHABILITATION AND THE USE OF SPECIALIZED REHABILITATION PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE THEIR AUDITORY AND VISUAL MEMORY.
I REALIZE THERE IS LOTS OF HYPE OUT THERE; THAT ESPECIALLY PARENTS ARE INTENSELY EMOTIONALLY INVOLVED WHEN IT COMES TO THEIR CHILDREN WITH SERIOUS DISABILITIES. I KNOW HOW PASSIONATE THEY CAN BE. THERE IS LOTS FOR ALL OF US TO LEARN AND I THINK WE ARE JUST AT THE BEGINNING.
I also appreciate his honesty in stating that "we are just at the beginning".
Absolutely.