A friend who lives in Ft. Lauderdale and posts on my Disney boards posted a link to a local news story she saw recently about a type of Autism treatment I have never heard of before. Just wondering if anyone else had...
WSVN -- Family videos show Patricia Cabrera as a bright-eyed happy baby, but her parents would soon watch their active baby transform into a reclusive toddler.
Valerie Cabrera: "It started with her not being able to speak. Then from there we noticed that she didn't socialize with anybody."
By age 3, doctors diagnosed Patricia with autism, and her behavior got worse and worse.
Valerie Cabrera: "She had no language. Basically, everything was a scream."
The family tried every therapy and drug available.
Valerie Cabrera: "It got to the point that we knew we had to do something when our oldest daughter came to us and said, 'Will she ever speak to me?' That's when we said we have to find something."
That something would be adult stem cell therapy. It's been used to treat other disorders, so they thought why not autism? After they couldn't find any doctors here in the U.S. to do it they found a clinic in Costa Rica, the Institute of Cellular Medicine who agreed to treat Patricia.
Valerie Cabrera: "They said, 'Listen, we've never done this, but if you guys are willing to take the chance we'll take the chance along with you.' We asked, 'What's the worst case scenario that could happen?' and they said, 'Either she's going to come back the same or she'll change, she'll get better but guarantee she won't get worse.'"
They took that chance. For four days Patricia received injections of stem cells. These are not the controversial embryonic cells but cells taken from umbilical cords or bone marrow.
Dr. Claudia Herrera: "All it is is stem cells from the body that have the potential to become any cell in the body."
Cells that are thought to help autistic children by boosting blood flow to the brain and helping with autoimmune deficiencies.
Back at home Patricia's family immediately saw a different child emerge.
Valerie Cabrera: "It's been a total, complete drastic change. One day she's saying 'milk' then the next day she's saying, 'I want milk.'"
After a second round of treatments, Patricia can now count to 50, string together sentences and went from bottom of her class to the top.
Dr. Claudia Herrera: "I noticed a tremendous change in her behavior, in her social and communication skills."
Patricia's South Florida pediatrician saw the progress firsthand. She remains hopeful but skeptical over the stem cell treatment.
Dr. Claudia Herrera: "We still have to do research. We need to make sure this is what is helping her."
Patricia's parents believe it's working. They're waiting for the day that their little girl becomes like any other girl.
Valerie Cabrera: "My hope for Patricia, she will be my normal child."
Richard lemus: "Treatments cost more than ,000 and can be financed."
For more information:
The Institute of Cellular Medicine
1-800-980-STEM
www.cellmedicine.com
This seems to be by the same group that published the paper below. It is available as a pdf at http://www.translational-medicine.com/content/pdf/1479-5876- 5-30.pdf
J Transl Med. 2007 Jun 27;5:30. < =1.2> Links
Medistem Laboratories Inc, Tempe, Arizona, USA. thomas.ichim@gmail.com
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a group of neurodevelopmental conditions whose incidence is reaching epidemic proportions, afflicting approximately 1 in 166 children. Autistic disorder, or autism is the most common form of ASD. Although several neurophysiological alterations have been associated with autism, immune abnormalities and neural hypoperfusion appear to be broadly consistent. These appear to be causative since correlation of altered inflammatory responses, and hypoperfusion with symptology is reported. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are in late phases of clinical development for treatment of graft versus host disease and Crohn's Disease, two conditions of immune dysregulation. Cord blood CD34+ cells are known to be potent angiogenic stimulators, having demonstrated positive effects in not only peripheral ischemia, but also in models of cerebral ischemia. Additionally, anecdotal clinical cases have reported responses in autistic children receiving cord blood CD34+ cells. We propose the combined use of MSC and cord blood CD34+cells may be useful in the treatment of autism.
I haven't heard of it but it works why not try it?
Adults we have our own stem cells. We can rebuild our own by takeing stem in hance.
Forker we love the bears our kids take.
There may be a much cheaper and simpler way to achieve basically the same thing.I have my son's stem cells banked already. We harvested them from the cord blood when he was born. It cost us about ,000 and an additional 0/year for storage fees.
I have looked into this procedure, too. I am just scared right now to take a risk doing this with my son's precious stem cells. While living with Autism isn't pleasant, it's also not life threatening. I fear if I used the cells to POSSIBLY cure his Autism, and then God FORBID he was to get something life threatening that the cells could have been used for, I'd never forgive myself. Know what I mean?
I'm keeping close tabs on this whole stem cell thing. For now, it's ONLY available outside the USA in places like Costa Rica. That makes me nervous as well. Maybe if they approve it in the USA, I'll consider it more.
I have SERIOUSLY contemplated it. How facinating! Thanks for sharing! Love medical mysteries that work:)