Stem cell treatment of Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's / Dementia
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of senile dementia. It is typically associated with a slow but progressive loss of nerve cells and nerve cell contacts. The onset of the disease is insidious, and the first symptoms to manifest are impaired memory and orientation.
As the disease progresses, the sufferer's mental faculties deteriorate and, after a few years, patients require help to perform everyday tasks and are no longer able live on their own. One particularly disturbing aspect of this stage of the disease for family and friends is that the patient often doesn't recognize close relatives or perhaps even their partner. People with Alzheimer's disease also gradually lose their personality.
It is not known what causes Alzheimer's disease, although the brains of Alzheimer's patients do demonstrate typical microscopic changes: Extracellular protein depositions -called amyloid plaques- and fibrous intracellular protein aggregations -called neurofibrillar tangles. It seems impossible to cure Alzheimer's disease because dead nerve cells cannot be regenerated.
The XCell-Center Alzheimer's treatment
The XCell-Center's Alzheimer's treatment differs from standard methods because, in contrast to temporarily masking symptoms with drugs, it is a drug-free alternative focused on affecting physical changes in the brain that can improve a patient's quality of life.
Most Alzheimer's patients are treated by lumbar puncture; injecting the stem cells into the cerebrospinal fluid which transports them up the spinal canal and into the brain. However, a new procedure, by which the stem cells are surgically implanted directly into the brain, is also available.
Lumbar puncture is an outpatient procedure that requires patients to stay in Germany 4 or 5 nights. Direct surgical implantation is an inpatient procedure that requires patients to stay in Germany for about 10 nights.
Bone Marrow Collection
On the
first day, bone marrow is collected from the patient's iliac crest
(hip bone) using thin-needle mini-puncture under local anesthesia.
Although some pain is felt when the needle is inserted, most
patients do not find the bone marrow collection procedure
particularly painful. The entire procedure normally takes about 30
minutes.
Once the bone marrow collection is complete, patients may return to their hotel and go about normal activities. Patients who receive general anesthesia must lie down for a short recovery period before returning to their hotel.
More detailed information on the bone marrow collection procedure is available in the Bone Marrow Informed Consent document (PDF file).
Laboratory Processing
The next
day, the stem cells are processed from the bone marrow in a
state-of-the-art, government approved (cGMP) laboratory. In the
lab, both the quantity and quality of the stem cells are measured.
These cells have the potential to transform into multiple types of
cells and are capable of regenerating or repairing damaged
tissue.
Stem Cell Implantation
On the third day, the stem cells are implanted back into the patient by lumbar puncture or surgical implantation. Surgical implantation is performed under general anesthesia.
Lumbar Puncture
A spinal needle is inserted between L4 and L5 vertebrae and a small amount of spinal fluid is removed. A portion of that spinal fluid is mixed with the stem cell solution which is then injected into back into the patient's spinal fluid, not the spinal cord. After the stem cells have been implanted, the patient will lie down in the recovery room for a few hours before returning to his or her hotel room. The lumbar puncture procedure is performed under local anesthesia for adults and general anesthesia for children. Under normal circumstances, procedures performed under local anesthesia are not painful.
Surgical Implantation
Prior to surgery,
physical and functional damage will be assessed by computer
tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron
emission tomography (PET). Once the affected brain regions have
been identified and mapped, the neurosurgeon will implant the stem
cells using a high tech navigation system that allows the cells to
be placed with high accuracy.
All surgical implantation procedures are performed under general anesthesia.
Following Treatment
Patients who are treated by lumbar puncture are required to stay in town on the day after their procedure for general safety purposes. They may return home on the fifth day.
Surgical implantation patients may leave upon discharge from the hospital, usually on the ninth or tenth day, depending upon how their recovery progresses.
In Patients' Own Words
Giulia
Serafini - 78 years old
"A picture is worth a thousand words"
View
Family's Video Documentary
Josephine Stramiello - 82 years
old
"...It has given me more time with my family"
Cost
Stem cell implantation via lumbar puncture: 8,495 Euros (includes sedation/anesthesia).
Minimally invasive surgical implantation of stem cells directly into the brain: 25,500 Euros.
Treatment Evaluation Process
In order to be evaluated for treatment, patients must complete an online medical history form. Once you've completed the online medical history and submitted it, a patient relations consultant will contact you. He or she will assist you with the rest of the evaluation process. Upon treatment approval, your consultant will also assist you with treatment scheduling and trip preparation.
