July is cord blood awareness month! Many more parents and doctors have become aware of the healing potential of umbilical cord blood stem cells in the past 12-months. This is largely due to the many incredible cord blood stem cell survival stories that have been published in the media. Awareness has also increased thanks to the relentless efforts of groups promoting cord blood awareness to the public.
There are now more than 80 conditions treated with cord blood, including many types of cancer, immune system disorders, blood disorders and metabolic disorders. More than 50,000 cord blood transplants have been performed globally and doctors are more aware of the regenerative potential of cord blood stem cells than ever before!
One exciting area of stem cell research in recent years is the use of umbilical cord blood to treat autism. Autism is a common developmental disorder that affects the brain. The condition makes it very difficult for a person to communicate and interact socially.
Autism usually appears in the first few years of a child’s life and can severely impact the quality of their life. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 1% of the world’s population suffers from an autism spectrum disorder.
Scientists are unsure what causes autism. However, they have discovered that some children with autism have a dysfunctional immune system that interferes with their nervous system. Others appear to have inflammatory disorders and immune system problems.
Because stem cells have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory capabilities (capable of modifying immune system response), researchers believe they may be useful for treating the condition.
Duke University Research Project
Duke University is about to conclude a phase 1 clinical trial into the use of autologous umbilical cord blood to treat autism spectrum disorder. Autologous means the stem cells have come from a patient’s own body.
Umbilical cord blood (UCB) has already been shown to reduce the impact of hypoxic brain injuries in animal models and human infants who have suffered a stroke. UCB does this by facilitating neural repair and reducing inflammation.
Researchers suspect that an infusion of a patient’s own umbilical cord blood cells (UCB) will repair the brain and reduce the inflammation associated with autism. This will hopefully lead to an improvement in the symptoms that autism patients have. The results from this 2-year trial will be published in the next few months.
Sutter Neuroscience Institute Research Project
Another clinical trial into the use of umbilical cord blood to treat autism is being run by the Sutter Neuroscience Institute. This trial uses 30 subjects who are between two and seven years of age.
The participants have been divided into two groups, one group receiving their umbilical cord blood stem cells, the other receiving a placebo. After six months, the groups will be swapped with the placebo groups switched to stem cells.
The trial will use five separate evaluations at 12-week intervals to assess if the subject’s autism symptoms are reduced. Researchers expect the results of these trials to be quite positive and to potentially lead to a viable treatment for autism.
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