Stem cell therapy, a new hope to fight against Muscular Dystrophy & other Neurological Disorders

Imphal, Jan. 25: Nerul Navi Mumbai based, NeuroGen Brain and Spine Institute, which is India’s leading stem cell therapy cum rehabilitation centre, is offering new hope through stem cell therapy and rehabilitation for patients suffering from this incurable debilitating disease called as Muscular Dystrophy. For patients from Imphal, NeuroGen Brain and Spine Institute is organizing a free workshop cum OPD consultation camp on February 10th in Imphal. This camp is being organized to facilitate the patients as NeuroGen understands patients with muscular dystrophy, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, spinal cord injury etc travelling is extremely difficult all the way to Mumbai for just consultation purpose. All those patients suffering from such incurable neurological disorders can contact for appointments to Mona 09920200400/Pushkala 09821529653.
Muscular Dystrophy occurs worldwide, affecting all races. Its incidence varies, as some forms are more common than others. It’s the most common form of disease amongst children. Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) is one of nine types of muscular dystrophy, a group of genetic, degenerative disease primarily affecting voluntary muscular dystrophy, a group of genetic, degenerative diseases primarily affecting voluntary muscles. Becker muscular dystrophy occurs in about 3 to 6 out of every 100,000 births. The disease is found mostly in boys.
Dr Alok Sharma Professor & Head of Neurosurgery, LTMG Hospital & LTM Medical College, Sion Mumbai and Director NeuroGen Brain & Spine Institute said “There is very little awareness about muscular dystrophies amongst our people. In smaller towns and villages, most people have no idea about the disease. Several people even confuse this disease with polio for a long time after the child starts showing the first symptoms. Many even end up trying herbal remedies, thinking they will cure the children”.
Muscular dystrophy is a progressive condition, which is severely debilitating and affects the individuals’ life span and quality of life. In fact, Duchene muscular dystrophy is termed as an incurable disease that cuts young lives short. The incurable disease causes a progressive degeneration process of the muscles, resulting in decreased mobility, breathing problems, heart failure and ultimately a premature death.
Dr Nandini Gokulchandran, Deputy Director and Head Medical Services, NeuroGen Brain and Spine Institute said “Duchene Muscular Dystrophy is the most severe form, where the life span of these children is around 20-22 years. It is emotionally, physically and financially draining for the parents of these children. As there is no treatment modality to halt or control the progression of the disease the family has to see their child whither away. Therefore, we need to broaden our outlook and explore newer treatment strategies, which can at least control the progression of this disease. Stem cell therapy has emerged as a treatment option in the recent years, which has shown its positive impact on the progressive nature of this disease.”
The early signs which can be picked up clinically include weakness of proximal girdle muscles, difficulty in rising from the floor difficulty in performing overhead activities and in case of DMD pseudo hypertrophy of calf muscles and a positive Gower’s sign. Electromyography and CPK levels are the diagnostic tests. MRI-Musculoskeletal is a novel investigation which used in confirming the diagnosis. Genetic testing confirms the type of muscular dystrophy.
Here is a case report of Tabom Tato, a 24 year old male, who studies in Imphal. He is a known case of muscle dystrophy diagnosed at the age of 20 years on the basis of clinical features, CPK, muscle biopsy and EMG. His early symptoms included difficulty in getting up from the floor and chair, walking stair climbing. He is ambulatory and independent in all bed mobilities and transfers.
His symptoms started in the year 2013. He was walking with his college friends in his university (college of agriculture, central agricultural university, Iroishemba, Impha) where he first felt weakness in his legs and difficulty in waling. Because his college lectures were on he did not go to any doctor for his weakness. He studied about his symptoms online and had understood the fact that it is a neurological disorder. As soon as his classes were over after 3-4 months of first symptom he consulted a neurologist in Imphal. After doing a clinical examination and tests screening the neurologist diagnosed Tabom with Muscular Dystrophy. There is no such history in his family. “The medicines prescribed by the neurologist in Imphal had lots of side effects and I didn’t feel any improvements hence after 9-10 months I discontinued the medicines” says Tabom.
“I did a lot of internet search and reading about those medicines, possible treatment options etc. That is when I came to know about NeuroGen’ stem cell therapy for Muscular dystrophy. I consulted another neurologist in Shillong, he admitted me for 15 days and gave the same medicines which were prescribed by the first doctor. I again witnessed a lot of side effects and hence discontinued the medicines again.” Tabom and his family then decided to come to Mumbai for Stem Cell Therapy at NeuroGen Brain & Spine Institute.
On examination at NeuroGen in February 2017, the chief complaints found in Tabom were that he had stopped getting up from floor since 2 years. He had difficulty in getting up from a supine position. Difficulty in climbing stairs and walking was observed for nearly 4 years. Difficulty in getting up from the chair since 2 years ago.
At NeuroGen, Tabom underwent Stem Cell Therapy along with a customized rehabilitation program. The aim of the rehabilitation program was to improve strength of all the muscles, therapies to increase the strength of the affected areas without fatigue and to increase overall stamina of the patient. He was given exercises that would help him improve his balance, walking, stair climbing, rolling, posture and his grip. These exercises carried out in a systematic pattern with sufficient rest intervals to the patient. Together, the aim of the rehabilitation program was to improve his overall quality of life. Tabom and his family found new hope with NeuroGen’s Stem Cell Therapy. He and his family were motivated and positive for him after going back. Physiotherapy and rehabilitation taught at NeuroGen were continued after going home.
The improvements now seem after stem cell therapy are that his Upper limb overhead activity has improved, feels stronger. Upper limb gross motor activity has improved, feels stronger. Ambulation (walking) has improved. He can walk more distance. Standing and walking balance has improved, falls have completely stopped. Standing posture has improved, stands taller. Muscle strength has improved. Strength in upper limbs has increased but strength in lower limbs has remained same. Stamina has improved. Turing, rolling, side lying to sit, supine to sit, prone to sit, sitting on the edge of the bed, and shifting on bed forward, backwards and sideways activities have improved faster than before. Stair climbing activities have improved, better than before; however, still difficult. Stand independently activities have improved, feels stronger. Kneel standing activities have improved, earlier was unable to do so. His upper chest expansion has improved from 4 cm to 6 cm. Middle chest expansion has improved from 3.5 cm to 7. Lower chest expansion has improved from 3.5 to 7. Falls have completely stopped.
Tabom used to be very worried before due his incapability t perform activities. He also discontinued his studies till he finds a relief for his condition. Now he has become an all together a new person with a bright smile on his face. He has continued his studies after taking NeuroGen’s treatment and is in final year now. He wishes to pursue for IAS course after completing his final year. His confidence has increased and now he does all his daily tasks with enthusiasm and motivation. The fear of falling has vanished.
Dr Nandini Gokulchandran further said “The available treatment fails to act at the level of injury. No treatment options have been able to slow down the progression of the disease, stop or reverse the pathology. Since it is a genetic disorder, the ultimate answer rests in gene therapy, which has not yet reached the clinical setting. Stem cell therapy has been the area of interest of researchers globally in analyzing its role in muscular dystrophy. Numerous animal and human studies of stem cell therapy in muscular dystrophy have shown the beneficial effects.”
Dr Nandini Gokulchandran added “Stem cell therapy is a productive and safe tool in the management of patients with muscular dystrophy. It has shown functional as well as radiological improvements in these patients, which enhances their quality of life.”
Based out of Nerul, Navi Mumbai, NeuroGen Brain & Spine Institute, India’s first and only institute that offers not only just Stem Cell Therapy but also Rehabilitation as well. This 11-storeyed building is a super speciality hospital and has 51 beds and with special rehabilitation therapy centres. Neurogen BSI has been set up to help patients suffering from incurable neurological disorders, get relief from their symptoms and physical disabilities by the use of stem cell therapy in a safe and effective way. NeuroGen BSI offers stem cell therapy and holistic rehabilitation for Autism and Neurodevelopment disorders like cerebral palsy, mental retardation, brain stroke , muscular dystrophy, spinal cord injury, head injury, cerebellar ataxia, dementia, motor neuron disease, multiple sclerosis and neuropsychiatric disorders. Till date, the organization has already successfully treated 5000 patients from over 50 countries.
Dr Alok Sharma further concluded saying “For all those millions of patients who had told by us earlier that nothing can be done medically for your illness, we can now say to you with reasonable confidence that with the availability of stem cell therapy and combined with neuro rehabilitation, Achhe Din Aane Wale Hain!”.