Stem cell therapy in Bangkok Thailand for stroke victims

Stroke and traumatic brain injury lead to cells death, characterized by a loss of neurons and oligodendrocytes within the brain. Healthy adult brains contain neural stem cells, these divide and act to maintain general stem cells numbers or become progenitor cells. In healthy adult animals, progenitor cells migrate within the brain and function primarily to maintain neuron populations for olfaction (the sense of smell). Interestingly, in pregnancy and after injury, this system appears to be regulated by growth factors and can increase the rate at which new brain matter is formed. In the case of brain injury, although the reparative process appears to initiate, substantial recovery is rarely observed in adults, suggesting a lack of robustness.

Stem cells may also be used to treat brain degeneration, such as in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.

Recent studies have highlighted the enormous potential of cell therapy for stroke. Evidence has shown that stem cells may repair the damaged brain by increasing vascular supply by the creation of new blood vessels, reducing inflammation, enhancing the brain's repair mechanisms and reducing the ongoing death of brain cells. Clinical trials have proved stem cell therapy in stroke to be safe and a viable form of treatment.

Stroke is caused by the interruption of blood flow in a brain-supplying artery; commonly an embolus causes an occlusion (blockage) in the blood vessel. Ischaemic stroke (cerebral infarction) and the even more devastating intracerebral haemorrhage, cause a disturbance of neuronal circuitry and disruption of the blood-brain-barrier that can lead to functional disabilities – very typically destroying a person's ability to speak and move normally. At this time, therapy is primarily based on the prevention of recurrent (secondary) strokes. Rehabilitation therapy is important for maximizing functional recovery in the early phase after stroke, but once recovery has plateaued there is no known treatment. There are still no neuroprotective therapies available that reduce brain damage and improve neurological recovery once a stroke has occurred.

Stem cell treatment could be the major breakthrough in effecting repair of some of the damage caused by a stroke. Bangkok Thailand is at the leading edge of stem cell therapy for stroke victims.