More fascinating developments in autism research are brought forward with publication of a peer reviewed open access article in the Journal of Translational Medicine 2007, 5:30. The authors propose the use of stem cells to treat autism. Translation Medicine refers to a field of medicine which attempts to convert research into actual treatment for patients, a joining of research and clinical practice of medicine. The proposal is premised on a consistent association of autism with immune abnormalities and neural hypoperfusion (decreased blood flow). The authors speculate that stem cells might be used to stimulate repair of neural damage.
Four of the authors are associated with the Institute of Cellular Medicine which indicates that it is now accepting some autistic patients for stem cell therapy:
Stem Cell Therapy is Available Now The Institute of Cellular Medicine (ICM) is currently accepting patients with the following conditions for stem cell therapy:
Stem Cell Therapy for Autism 1Medistem Laboratories Inc, Tempe, Arizona, USA 2Institute for Cellular Medicine, San Jose, Costa Rica 3Americas Medical Center, Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA 42027 E. Cedar Street Suite 102 Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
Journal of Translational Medicine 2007, 5:30 doi:10.1186/1479-5876-5-30
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.