Allogeneic Stem Cells Role in Neurodegenerative Diseases

The stem cells are the precursors of all cells in the body. They are very essential for formation of new tissues and healing of damaged tissues as a result of diseases or even accidents. The stem cells are available in adequate quantities in the bone marrow and in the adipose tissues as well. They have the ability to turn into the red blood cells, platelets or even the white blood cells. They can also form the muscles cells, the bones and even cartilage and hence help in keeping your body healthy. naturally you should be having the healthy amounts of these stem cells, unfortunately due to diseases and accidents that may result in bone marrow destruction and damage you may have too little of these essential stem cells and so you will need a stem cell transplant. In most cases the stem cell transplant is done through an IV, supplementing the little stem cells you have left and hence enabling the body to work right.

When the stem cells are harvested from the same person, the transplant is termed as autologous stem cell transplant. the autologous stem cell transplant is the most popular as the cells are harvested from the patient’s own body and this rules out any chance of the transplant being rejected or causing any pathological reactions that may warranty serious medical attention. however there are cases when the stem cells can’t be sourced from the patient’s own body and this will dictate that the stem cells be sourced from a different person who is not genetically identical to the patient; this is termed as allogeneic stem cell transplant. For safety of any recipient in allogeneic stem cell transplant, it is important to match closely the immune system markers to reduce chances of any reaction that may inhibit the healing process.

Stem cells and neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases are numerous and each has distinctive effects on the patient but all are caused as a result of neurodegeneration. Neurodegeneration refers to the damage of the nerves in that are essential for transmission of messages within the nervous system. When the nerve cells are destroyed and deformed, they lose their original structure they will begin to malfunction. In most cases this damage is done gradually but at the end of it all the patient will suffer from cognitive disabilities such as memory loss and poor decision making. There are numerous neurodegenerative diseases, however basing on their debilitating effects, just a few have been known and are being currently focused on. Some of the famous neurogenerative diseases includes; Huntington disease, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Apart from these diseases listed above there are others that have not been in the medical literature and are less publicized, this doesn’t mean that they are not worth the mention. They are.

The greatest danger of all neurodegenerative diseases is that they lead to progressive brain damage and neurodegeneration. The major three diseases may show different features and effects but they progress in similar manner at the cell level. take Parkinson’s disease for example, it affects the basal ganglia of the brain, depleting it of dopamine hence causing stiffness, rigidity and tremors in the major muscles of the body which are distinctive features of the disease.

In Alzheimer’s disease, it is characterized by deposits of minute protein plaques that damages different brain parts thereby leading to gradual memory loss while Huntington’s disease is known to corrupt the genetic make-up affecting muscles of the body thereby resulting in motor restriction and eventual death.

Allogeneic stem cells transplant

Allogeneic stem cells The cell is harvested from the bone marrow of a suitable donor by use of a needle. This maybe done repeatedly to draw the sufficient amounts needed for the transplant. After harvesting the cells from the marrow the blood is passed through a machine that separates the stem cells from the blood leaving the rest of the blood flowing back into the donor through the needle into the donors arm. The harvested stem cells can then be transplanted into the patient through a central venous catheter that is inserted into the patient’s chest. The stem cells flow through the catheter into the patient’s blood and into the bone marrow where they will give rise to other stem cells between one to three weeks.

After transplant the stem cells will begin to work in repairing and replacing the worn out tissues caused by various degenerative diseases. All this is made possible since they can form any cell in the body and help restore the normal body functions.

The neurodegenerative diseases have very debilitating effects; the inception of stem cell therapy seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel for those suffering from these diseases. Anyway you need to be updated on how well you can regain your health and vitality back even after suffering from these diseases.

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