Scientists were aware of the fact that certain organisms can regenerate and redevelop the missing parts of their body. While the human body cannot regenerate a missing leg or a missing hand, it can still regenerate and reform the skin, nerve and other types of cells. Bone marrow experiments (during the 1950s) first revealed that there are stem cells in the body that can self-renew and can form other specialized cells of the body. These cells today hold tremendous potential for treating disease like diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, muscular diseases like muscular atrophy and others.
Diseases Treated Through Stem Cell Therapy
The cell therapy is used today for treating a range of diseases. Spinal cord injury stem cell treatment, and treatment of other neurological disorders like Dementia, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Stroke and others are provided through stem cell therapy. The therapy also holds the potential of treating other disorders as well, these include Cancer, AIDS and Alopecia amongst others, and research is going on in the given disorders.
The Different Types of Stem Cells
While the human body is made up of more than 200 types of cells, they all originate from the basic pool of stem cells that are found in the early embryo. The cells later divide and differentiate to assume functions of skin, muscle, blood and nerve cells.
Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs)
Embryonic stem cells are obtained from the blastocyst. This pre-implantation embryo develops after a period of 5 days of fertilization. As the embryonic cells divide repeatedly, they form a large mass of cells when processed in the lab. IVF or in-vitro fertilization clinics are the largest sources of obtainment of ESCs. The donated cells are used for providing stem cell therapy.
Adult Stem Cells (ASCs)
The adult stem cells of the body lay in the organs and are surrounded by a number of ordinary cells. Unlike the ESCs, the ASCs are somewhat specialized. They can be used to provide neural, blood or other kinds of cellular transplantation.
Stem cell treatment for muscular dystrophy and other muscle and neural diseases improves the quality of life of patients in multiple ways. NeuroGen Brain and Spine Institute (NGSBI) combines the regenerative cell therapy with a complete rehabilitation program, to offer multiple therapeutic benefits to patients worldwide.
