Traumatic Brain Injury

What is a traumatic brain injury?

Traumatic brain injury is a result of disruption or loss of function in the brain as a result of outside mechanical force impacting the skull and brain. Automobile accidents, falls, assaults/blows, sports-related injuries, and explosive blasts are some of the most common causes of TBI. Traumatic brain injury starts with a primary brain injury / head injury, which is the immediate result of the outside force. This causes focal or diffuse brain injury patterns. However, TBI has a secondary phase of injury that evolves over time. This delayed injury is characterized by a complex cascade molecular and biochemical events that lead to neuroinflammation, brain edema, and delayed neuronal death.

Few conventional treatment options are available for patients diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury. However, stem cells are regenerative medicine which offers the chance of treating the loss of neurological function caused by the second wave of injury. Stem cell therapy for traumatic brain injury TBI has the ability to regenerate injured cells in the body, helping to reverse some symptoms and prevent further damage caused by secondary injury.

How can stem cells help?

Stem cells are able to differentiate into all types of cells needed by the body. Different stem cells differentiate into different types of cells, but anytime a new cell is created it is the result of a stem cell. Neurons, however, are a little more difficult to differentiate, and that is why brain injuries don’t typically heal the same way the rest of the body does. To make this a more feasible recovery, sending a mass of stem cells into the spinal cord can create more opportunity for new neurons to be created. By replacing these neurons (and other lost cells) quickly and early, it is possible that further delayed neuronal death can be prevented, avoiding possible delayed injury and symptoms.

Carlos was born healthy and had wonderful young life. When he was 12 he suffered a crushing traumatic brain injury. He died on the table but doctors were able to resuscitate him. Since that time he has had numerous treatments around the world aimed at improving his development and repairing the damage done to his brain.

Carlos has received two rounds of umbilical cord blood stem cell transplants in China over the past two years. In this interview shot at the end of Carlos’ first round of transplants his father discusses the improvements in his condition they saw during the treatments.

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Possible improvements after Stem Cell Therapy for Traumatic Brain Injury

Since 2005, we have been developing comprehensive stem cell treatment protocols for Traumatic Brain Injury to overcome the limitations of conventional therapies. In our protocols, stem cells are combined with specialized therapies for traumatic brain injury that not only focus on helping the patient to cope with their symptoms, but also treat the root cause of the condition by promoting the healing of the original brain injury. We believe that our comprehensive treatment approach for traumatic brain injury gives our patients the best chances of improvements, allowing for a better quality of life.

Our patients have experiences various kinds of improvement after stem cell treatment. The most common improvements in our patient’s condition are:*

Our Treatment Program in Details

Since 2005, we have been developing and optimizing our unique stem cell treatment protocols with the concept that only a very comprehensive treatment can allow our patients to truly benefit from stem cells. We believe that stimulation through various therapies is necessary to enhance stem cell regenerative response, therefore our protocols include daily supportive therapies to support the stem cells. Finally, we provide a wide variety and large quantities of stem cells in order to adapt to each patient specific condition and deliver maximized regenerative potential.

Our stem cell transplantation program for traumatic brain injury consist in 6 to 8 simple and minimally invasive injections of umbilical cord derived stem cells. The stem cells are transplanted using two separate methods: by intravenous way using a standard IV drip system, and through intrathecal injection performed after lumbar puncture. These two delivery methods allow for increased efficacy while ensuring safety and minimum inconvenience for the patient.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.What are the common symptoms of TBI?

A.

After TBI, people often report symptoms following injury, but improve over time. The most common symptoms after brain injury are known as post-concussion syndrome (PCS). These symptoms include but may not be limited to:

• physical complaints (dizziness, fatigue, headaches, visual disturbances, trouble sleeping, sensitivity to light and sound, poor balance)
• cognitive changes (poor concentration, memory problems, poor judgment and impulsivity, slowed performance, difficulty putting thoughts into words)
• psycho-social concerns (depression, anger outbursts, irritability, personality changes, anxiety).

Q.How is TBI diagnosed?

A.

Diagnosis of TBI is difficult because affected individuals may not show physical signs of injury. Clinically, doctors will give the diagnosis of TBI on the basis of the history of brain injury and clinical tests, which include EEG, CT scans, MRIs and so on.

Q.What are the conventional treatments available for TBI?

A.

The most common symptoms in brain trauma survivors are cognitive deficits and motor dysfunctions. Right now, there is no effective conventional treatment for these symptoms to promote functional recovery except for routine medical intervention and care. Fortunately, there are many promising drug- or cell-based therapeutic approaches emerging recently, including erythropoietin and its carbamylated form, statins, bone marrow stromal cells, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and so on. These novel treatment methods will reduce brain injury via neuroprotection and promote brain remodeling via angiogenesis, neurogenesis, and synaptogenesis with a final goal to improve the functional outcome of TBI patients.

Q.What are the mechanisms of the stem cell treatment for TBI?

A.

Stem cell therapy for traumatic brain injury TBI will focus on secondary brain injury, which is the result of biochemical and physiological events, ultimately leading to neuronal cell death. Recent research has indicated that the potential therapeutic benefit of stem cell therapy could be the result of the following mechanisms:

1. Secretion of growth factors to promote functional outcome after brain injury via neurogenesis and synaptogenesis;
2. Production and inducement of many cytokines and trophic factors to enhance angiogenesis and vascular stabilization in the lesion boundary zone;
3. Decrease of the glial scar formation and promotion of glial-axonal remodeling. Thus, stem cells act in a pleiotropic way to stimulate brain remodeling after brain injury by influencing several neural restorative functions such as synaptogenesis, angiogenesis, and neurogenesis.

Q.Clinical trials about Stem Cell Treatment for Traumatic Brain Injury

A.

Treatment of Severe Adult Traumatic Brain Injury Using Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells

Conclusion: “Autologous BMMNC infusion for adults with severe TBI is safe and logistically feasible.” Full study here.

Emerging treatments for traumatic brain injury

On page 13: “There was no immediate or delayed toxicity related to the cell administration within the 6-month follow-up period. Neurologic function was significantly improved at 6 months after MSC therapy [162].” Full study here.

Traumatic Brain Injury and Stem Cell: Pathophysiology and Update on Recent Treatment Modalities

Conclusion: “Clinical trials have shown that MSC transplantation may decrease TBI patients’ sequela and has the potential to become an effective treatment modality [129]. MSC safety and efficacy have been investigated in patients with complications following TBI [130] and determined that earlier interventions lend themselves to better results.” Full study here.