BANGKOK, Thailand, 29 January 2007 - Parents of children who suffer from Cerebral Palsy are queuing up for the latest and most successful advance in treatment that is now available. Instead of physical therapy, surgery, appliances, speech and drug therapy that were all that could be done in the past, clinical studies and patient outcomes are showing the power and efficacy of stem cell therapy.
“Until now parents felt powerless, but typically they search for what is new and effective to help their child,” said Mr. Brian Dardzinski, who heads Jai Communications Associates, a Bangkok-based, independent, stem cell consultancy agency. “Parents are persistent because they are well informed and they know that within months of stem cell therapy most children experience significant symptom reduction. Feeding difficulties, spasticity and apraxia typically reduce to the point where physical therapy is no longer needed as dexterity improves. Imagine the joy of a parent as their child becomes categorized as of normal height, weight and developmental stage,” he added.
The age of waiting or thinking nothing can be done is, thankfully, over now. Because the stem cell therapy is autologous, (derived form the patient themselves), there is no risk of rejection and the body of evidence is growing daily that there is a new reality ‘out there’ for treating this disease. As a result of this awareness the numbers of parents seeking stem cell therapy for their child is soaring.
The term cerebral palsy refers to any one of a number of neurological disorders that appear in infancy or early childhood and permanently affect body movement and muscle coordination but don’t worsen over time. Even though cerebral palsy affects muscle movement, it isn’t caused by problems in the muscles or nerves. It is caused by abnormalities in parts of the brain that control muscle movements. The majority of children with cerebral palsy are born with it, although it may not be detected until months or years later. The early signs of cerebral palsy usually appear before a child reaches 3 years of age. The most common are a lack of muscle coordination when performing voluntary movements (ataxia); stiff or tight muscles and exaggerated reflexes (spasticity); walking with one foot or leg dragging; walking on the toes, a crouched gait, or a “scissored” gait; and muscle tone that is either too stiff or too floppy. A small number of children have cerebral palsy as the result of brain damage in the first few months or years of life, brain infections such as bacterial meningitis or viral encephalitis, or head injury from a motor vehicle accident, a fall, or child abuse.
“We are expanding our concepts of disease, disability and aging and the limitations we had yesterday do not apply to the possibilities unfolding today. Biotechnology research is showing us a new reality for treating disabilities and disease. Stem cell therapy using adult stem cells is safe, effective and well past the negative label of being an “experimental” procedure,” Mr Dardzinski stated. “Autism is another childhood disease that is also showing amazing improvements with stem cell therapy. In fact many neurological disorders can be treated now by skilled and experienced medical practitioners in many countries. We can cope with the rise in inquiries because we are eager to help connect parents with ethical and experienced stem cell providers,” he added.
Jai Communications Associates are an independent consultancy group that provides a free service to those wanting adult stem cell therapy. It also advises investors and those seeking licensing agreements and JVs in the field of regenerative medicine. Its website is www.stemcells21.com
