According to figures from the World Health Organisation, up to one billion people currently suffer from a neurological disorder of some type. This is approximately 1 in 6 of the world’s population. The WHO also reports that as many as 6.8 million people die due to a neurological condition each year.

Neurological disorders include a range of diseases and injuries that that affect the brain, spine, and nerves that connect them. Medical researchers have identified more than 600 different neurological disorders ranging from common conditions like stroke, Parkinson’s disease and brain tumours through to less common ailments like frontotemporal dementia.

Many of these neurological conditions do not currently have effective treatments available. However, that may be changing soon thanks to some recent breakthroughs in the field of stem cell research.

Scientists have discovered new ways in using cord blood stem cells with powerful powerful regenerative capabilities  and focus them on healing damage to the brain, spine, and nervous system. This article will identify some of the neurological conditions which may soon be treated using cord blood stem cells.

What neurological disorders may soon be treated using cord blood stem cells?

The list below shares some common neurological disorders which researchers are attempting to treat using stem cells.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Autism is a very common developmental disorder that affects about 1% of the world’s population. A person with autism typically struggles to communicate and interact with other people. They also tend to exhibit restricted or repetitive behaviours and interests.

Other symptoms of autism include intellectual impairment, learning difficulties, sensory sensitivities, unusual sensory interests, poor eye contact, inability to understand emotions, anxiety, and speech delay.

The cause of autism is currently unknown, however scientists have discovered a number of risk factors including genetic disorders (Rett syndrome and fragile X syndrome), complications during pregnancy, exposure to pollution, viral infections, and certain medications.

There is currently no cure for autism. However, a series of recent research projects indicate that stem cells may be used to reduce the symptoms of this condition.

Cerebral injury

Cerebral injury occurs when blood flow to the brain has been restricted as a result of an accident, causing the death of brain tissue. This type of injury is estimated to affect about 69 million people globally each year. In developed nations, cerebral injury is most commonly caused by a head injury sustained during a road traffic accident.

The symptoms of cerebral injury are quite varied, because the site of the injury will determine which brain functions are affected. Some common symptoms include amnesia, inability to communicate, difficult thinking, mood disorders, dilated pupils, abnormal behaviour, and blackouts. Researchers have been attempting to use stem cells to regenerate damaged brain tissue and restore brain function.

Stroke

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain has been interrupted. The two main causes of stroke are when a clot or plaque blocks an artery, or if a blood vessel in the brain breaks. This lack of blood flow quickly causes damage to brain tissue.

About 15 million people worldwide suffer from stroke each year with approximately 5.8 million people dying from it. Scientists are attempting to use stem cells to repair the damage caused by stroke and to reduce the severity of stroke side effects.

Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy is a congenital disorder that affects the body’s movement and muscle coordination. It is caused by abnormal brain development, often occurring before birth. The symptoms of Cerebral Palsy include difficulty walking, muscle rigidity, problems with coordination, learning disabilities, and difficulty speaking.

Cerebral Palsy is the most common motor disability in childhood and affects between 1.5 to 4 children per 1,000 live births in different countries around the world. Many scientists believe that stem cells can be used to repair damage to the brain caused by cerebral palsy and restore some or all motor function.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune condition that occurs when the immune system eats away the protective coating of nerves (called myelin).  When this protective coating is lost, communication between the brain and the limbs is disrupted. Symptoms include tremors, pain, impaired coordination, and fatigue. Some researchers believe that they may be able to “reset” the immune system using stem cells. This will prevent the immune system from attacking the nerves, halting the progress of the disease.

Huntington’s Disease

Huntington’s disease is an inherited condition that causes the nerve cells in the brain to break down over time. It causes a wide variety of symptoms including amnesia, delusion, compulsive behaviour, muscular problems, confusion, anxiety, weight loss, and difficulty speaking. Animal studies testing the use of stem cells to treat Huntington’s disease have been very positive and researchers are planning to perform clinical trials in the near future.

Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a common neurodegenerative disease that causes the gradual loss of memory and other mental functions. The symptoms of Alzheimer’s include general mental decline, difficulty thinking, mood changes, confusion, depression, aggression, and disorientation.  It is often fatal due to the complications it causes.

Researchers believe that Alzheimer’s disease is caused by a combination of generic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. In some cases it can solely be caused by a specific genetic factor within the body. The disease causes plaques and tangles to develop in the brain, which interrupt brain function and lead to the death of brain cells.

Researchers are performing trials to see if stem cells can be used to create new neurones in the brain. This will help to restore the patient’s mental capacity.

Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a disorder of the central nervous system that causes the brain to produce an insufficient level of dopamine. Having insufficient levels of dopamine causes the death of brain cells that control motor function. It carries a multitude of symptoms including stiff muscles, tremors, difficult moving, fatigue, amnesia, and anxiety.

Researchers hope to use stem cells to create dopaminergic progenitors, restoring dopamine levels in the brain and slowing or stopping the progression of the disease.

Sources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29701556
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/cp/data.html
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autism-spectrum-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20352928
https://news.un.org/en/story/2007/02/210312-nearly-1-6-worlds-population-suffer-neurological-disorders-un-report