Author(s): Himanshu Bansal, Sathya Meonah ST, Anupam Agarwal, Jerry Leon and Lustin Preoteasa
Objective: This article presents a proof of concept study on the efficacy of autologous treatment with adipose tissue stromal cells and bone marrow stem cells on patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease.
Methods: Eligible patients were selected on the basis of SPECT test, NINCDS-ADRDA criteria and specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Cognitive status of the patients was assessed before and after autologous intrathecal administration of stem cells through different assessment tests. Neurological status was determined using PET scan, SPECT imaging and CSF protein analysis.
Results: Steady improvement in the cognitive capability of patients was observed in the first six months of treatment. Later, there was a decline in the neurological ability which was revealed in the cognitive assessments. PET scan results were not changed.
Conclusion: In mild AD patients, the effect was obvious although short lived. The enhancement of the general status of the patients revealed the therapeutic potential of the therapy. Future large-scale clinical trials with more study subjects to determine the safety and efficacy of the therapy in different clinical settings are warranted.
