Cerebral Palsy and Stem Cell Therapy

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Stem cell therapy presents a promising treatment option for children with cerebral palsy. Early studies indicate it could reduce symptoms and brain damage.[1] However, this treatment is still in its infancy, and more research is needed.

What Are Stem Cells?

Stem cells are primitive cells that can develop into different cell types and, in turn, form different tissues. There are two types of stem cells, which include:

Adult Stem Cells

Adult stem cells are found in people who are already grown and are capable of supplying new cells to repair damaged tissues.

Embryonic Stem Cells

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are stem cells found in the early embryonic period. ESCs develop in the mass of the blastocyst and can spread and grow into different cell types.

What Is a Stem Cell Transplant for Children With Cerebral Palsy?

During a stem cell transplant, a physician injects stem cells into the child either intravenously, via a vein, or intrathecally, via lumbar puncture into the spinal column.[2] The hope is that the stem cells will develop into nerve cells that can build connections with other cells.

Furthermore, once the cells make connections with other cells, they need to be able to deliver messages to the muscles that control movement. This progression is crucial to the treatment’s success.

Physical therapy is almost always recommended after stem cell therapy. While medical experts state that there is difficulty in identifying which therapy helps more, the stem cell therapy or physical therapy, the combination of both gives the child the best chances of success.

Current Animal Research on Stem Cell Therapy

Numerous research strategies focus on finding the most effective stem cell therapy for children with cerebral palsy. Scientists and physicians test different types of stem cells in animals with brain damage to see what they do.

Some studies have shown that stem cells can reduce symptoms and reduce brain damage in animals.[3] However, the reason this happens is still not entirely understood. Furthermore, since animals are not human, the results are never an exact match.

Stem Cell Research to Learn More About Cerebral Palsy

Pluripotent stem cells, including embryonic stem cells, are being studied and used to create different types of brain cells. These cells may help provide valuable information about how cerebral palsy works. In turn, medical professionals hope it can bring new and improved forms of treatment.

Drugs to Help Target Stem Cells in Children’s Brains

Research is also being performed on medications that may stimulate the production of new stem cells in the body.

This type of treatment would allow the child’s own stem cells to be used in repairing their damaged tissues. This research is currently in the clinical trial phase, which means that the focus of the research is to determine if the therapy would be safe for all patients.

Scientists suggest that it will likely take a combination of treatments, both traditional and new, to improve outcomes for those with cerebral palsy.

Remember that stem cell research for cerebral palsy is still in its early stages. Although it shows promise, more research is needed before it becomes a universal treatment for children with cerebral palsy.