Stem Cell Rejuvenation Center in Phoenix Arizona

[georgegoss]

Although I have yet to find any research data indicating possible stem cell treatment efficacy for Alzheimer's, the following is at least encouraging for not only Parkinson's, but seems like it could perhaps have some translation to AD and MS. Encourgaing to hear Dr. Oz' treatment availability timeline estimate of less than ten years:



Related info along the same lines as previously posted by Squiffy:

http://www.msrc.co.uk/index.cfm/fuseact ... ageid/1826

[kaliej]

There are many other centers other centers available on the internet.Why don't people go for others?

[georgegoss]

There are many other centers other centers available on the internet.Why don't people go for others?

Excellent question regarding this whole broad topic. I don't know the answer for people seeking unproven stem cell therapies in which most stem cell "treatment" facilities around the world are just selling snake oil and profiting from people's ignorance. But for those people that do seek this unproven stem cell treatment I would bet a human behavior study of this would be very revealing. I think it likely it has a lot to do with people's desperation in seeking a solution of their health malady, even if the treatment sought has absolutely zero evidence that it provides any curative benefit.

Not necessarily directly transferrable, but. . . . . I now realize the biggest roadblock for people seeking the "valid" theraputic approach of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) as the only medical treatment of the stem-cell-type having been shown to definitely provide curative benefit for MS, is the cost of the treatment as the main hurdle for most people. As a "real" treatment performed at a "real" medical (hospital) facility, HSCT is quite an expensive procedure. So its understandable most would have to jump a big hurdle to recieve it. However, I personally don't completely understand why people seek, or not the other un-proven stem cell therapies.

[Liberation]

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[CVfactor]

Neurologists told me that currently they believe that in spms and ppms autoimmunity is not the primary culprit, eventhogh if it is there. Probably, this is the reason why they do not give any immunmodulatory drugs for ppms patients.

I often hear this a lot on this site. But lets look at a Nueron:



So in RRMS the main target is the Myelen sheath (white matter) while there may be some secondary damage to the axons. The white matter damage is what shows up on MRI's as lesions.

In SPMS and PPMS the main damage is to axons (grey matter).

So, my question is that if either type of MS is not autoimune why are not the other structures of the neuron such as the cell body (soma) effected. Why is it that only specific areas of the neuron are targets?

[NHE]

So in RRMS the main target is the Myelen sheath (white matter) while there may be some secondary damage to the axons. The white matter damage is what shows up on MRI's as lesions.

In SPMS and PPMS the main damage is to axons (grey matter).

So, my question is that if either type of MS is not autoimune why are not the other structures of the neuron such as the cell body (soma) effected. Why is it that only specific areas of the neuron are targets?

For clarification...

Gray Matter: Those regions of the brain and spinal cord that are made up primarily of the cell bodies and dendrites of nerve cells rather than myelinated axons.

NHE

[euphoniaa]

Neurologists told me that currently they believe that in spms and ppms autoimmunity is not the primary culprit, eventhogh if it is there. Probably, this is the reason why they do not give any immunmodulatory drugs for ppms patients.

I often hear this a lot on this site. But lets look at a Nueron:



So in RRMS the main target is the Myelen sheath (white matter) while there may be some secondary damage to the axons. The white matter damage is what shows up on MRI's as lesions.

In SPMS and PPMS the main damage is to axons (grey matter).

So, my question is that if either type of MS is not autoimune why are not the other structures of the neuron such as the cell body (soma) effected. Why is it that only specific areas of the neuron are targets?

Hi CV Factor,
Here's one more clarification. Your diagram appears to be of the peripheral nerves and not nerves of the central nervous system. I post about this all the time, because I've been diagnosed with both MS and HNPP, a hereditary peripheral neuropathy. Schwann cells are for the PNS and not the CNS (those are oligodendrocytes).

I'll post a bit of info from other threads, but if it's not clear, I can add more, because I write about PNS vs CNS all the time.

Glial cells thread from Squiffy:
http://www.thisisms.com/forum/general-d ... it=schwann
And the MSRC article link in that thread:
http://www.msrc.co.uk/index.cfm?fuseact ... ageid=1398
Explanation about glial cells from that article:

Glial cells serve nerve cells by insulating them with layers of fats and proteins called myelin. Myelin coatings are necessary for nerve signals to be transmitted normally; when the sheaths are lost, disorders involving impairment in sensation, movement and cognition such as multiple sclerosis or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis develop. Glial cells named oligodendrocytes produce myelin around nerves of the central nervous system, while those named Schwann cells make myelin that insulates peripheral nerves.

And for the sake of explaining why I pay so much attention to these cells, here's a quote from one of the threads where I explained the difference in my case.

The thread:
http://www.thisisms.com/forum/general-d ... it=schwann
A quote from me on that thread:

I'm still not sure if there's any sort of connection between MS & HNPP, although my family's situation raises intriguing questions.

HNPP means that MY peripheral nerves are unable to handle physical stress to them due to a missing myelin gene. Some other "named" peripheral neuropathies, such as CIDP, sound more like inflammation caused by other reasons, such as viruses, etc.

Also, just for the sake of background information in this discussion, I should have mentioned that the myelin in the CNS (brain & spinal cord) is made up of oligodendrocytes, whereas the myelin covering of the peripheral nerves (all other nerves in the body) is from Schwann cells instead.

So, my LP shows that I have both O-bands in my spinal fluid (plus whatever else they look for) and the extensive round of EMGs they gave me (I call it The Day of the Long Needles ) show I have carpal tunnel in both wrists & both elbows (at least). That's what puts the PP (Pressure Palsies) into HNPP. (I also have a brain that's Chock Full O' MS-specific Lesions, but who's counting at this point?)

My cousin with MS has had 2 unsuccessful carpal tunnel surgeries (possible HNPP), although my dad had a recent MRI of his brain showing only that he had, well, a "normal" 87-year-old brain. My dad, cousin, and I have footdrop, but my neuros shrug that there's no way to figure out whether my footdrop & hand tremors are due to MS or HNPP or both.

Also, FYI - both the "named" PNs like CIDP & HNPP and also the generic, unnamed PN condition can show remarkably similar symptoms to MS. Just check out the generic PN pages at Mayo: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/periph ... hy/DS00131

The term "peripheral neuropathy" in general just refers to a group of symptoms within the PNS, which includes the sensory nerves, muscles, and organs, affecting things like bowel & bladder issues as well. PN can be the result of genetics (me), diseases, vitamin deficiencies, etc., which is why I always feel obligated to remind undx'd sufferers (who don't test as well as I do ) of the possibilities.

Another note: HNPP is a malfunction of the same gene (missing part) as CMT, Charcot-Marie-Tooth (doubled gene), a much more common hereditary neuropathy. They're often mentioned together when you do research.

Now, wasn't it nice to have a short break from discussing only stem cells? Carry on.

[CVfactor]

I guess my point is that if one were to pursue MSC cell transplantation (which I don't believe is a valid treatment at this point in time) to repair existing damage caused by MS, you must be certain that the disease progression is stopped first.

Otherwise any benefit you would hope to see from the MSC cell transplantation would be damaged again by future disease progression.

I think there is clearly a misunderstanding of what HSCT cell transplantation is (stopping of disease progression) and MSC cell transplantation (damage repair).

[Liberation]

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[CVfactor]

For clarification...

Gray Matter: Those regions of the brain and spinal cord that are made up primarily of the cell bodies and dendrites of nerve cells rather than myelinated axons.

NHE

To be clearer, from John Hopkins Advanced Studies in Medicine:
http://www.jhasin.com/files/articlefile ... p37_41.pdf

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease that is characterized by central nervous system (CNS) inflammation, demyelination, and neurodegeneration. Although the pathophysiology of MS is not completely understood, it is clear that much of the underlying disease process is clinically silent and continues even when patients are not experiencing symptoms. Most patients initially present with relapsing/remitting MS, in which acute disease episodes are separated by a return to normal or near-normal neurologic function. Eventually, most patients transition to secondary progressive MS, which is defined by the gradual accumulation of irreversible neurologic impairment. A consensus has recently begun to emerge that the long-term progressive disability in patients with MS is due to irreversible neurodegeneration, and that inflammation is less prominent in the later stage of the disorder. MS lesions exhibit extensive axonal transection and degeneration, and may involve both gray matter and white matter. Demyelination alone does not appear to cause axonal injury, and most axons survive transitory demyelination. However, axons that are chronically demyelinated are at substantial risk of degeneration. This may reflect the loss of important nerve growth factors that are produced by surrounding oligodendrocytes and that are essential for axonal survival. The gradualaccumulation of axonal injury probably contributes to the long-term atrophy of the CNS that is often observed in patients with chronic MS, and to the eventual progression of neurologic impairment. Early initiation of disease-modifying therapy may therefore help to slow long-term neurodegeneration and disease progression in patients with MS. (Adv Stud Med. 2009;9(2):37-41)

[jeske]

I have recently been to this clinic for treatment for my heart. Also for other problems such as bad hip and knee. They were very attentive to my concerns and my comfort. The treatment took about 5 hours or so and I am very happy with the way it was done. I cannot tell you about results yet because it has only been a week. I will stay on the diet and the vitamin cocktail they made for me. They were very adamant that to go back to what I was doing before would be just wasting my time there. Also, for those who say this is not a vialble treatment, maybe they are right. I will not know until I wait and see for awhile. As for the cost, it did play a role in my decision but they never promised anything and they were willing to return my money if I decided not to have the treatment after the consultation. I do not know about ms other than I have a friend with it. Nasty, nasty disease. willy

[Pmihelis]

I read that someone here found a stem cell clinic in NY. where is it? I can't find it.