What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis, also called as disseminated sclerosis is known to be the most fickle neurodegenerative disease; that can either be benign or malignant leading to major disability. Although, the exact cause of the disease is still unknown; researchers have proved that the disease is generally triggered by various environmental causative factors in a person who is genetically prone for the response.

Prevalence of Multiple Sclerosis

As such it has been estimated that the distribution of number of cases of MS around the world is very uneven.  On an average, worldwide reported cases of MS are more than 25 million. Researchers have also deciphered that the proportion of women with MS is increasing to the extent that approximately two to three women have MS for every man with the similar condition.

The study of geographical distribution has revealed that the parts of Asia, Africa and America on the equator have low evidences of the cases as compared to Canada as well as Scotland; bearing very high incidences. In fact, the MS being more common in northern Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand; it is believed that the MS has been carried around the world by Europe. The Multiple Sclerosis is indeed a well understood disease of temperate climates.

Current Treatment & Prognosis

Currently, many doctors prescribe medications in terms of steroids to the MS patients as a part of rehabilitative solution. However, as we all know long term use of steroids can be very harmful posing; various life threatening complications. Another form of treatment, which is generally offered, is an immunosuppressant that again can welcome many opportunistic infections, carrying serious risk.

A doctor may diagnose the MS differently in different patients; as in, the diagnosis can be quick and easy for some patients whereas in some other case however doctor may not be able to readily diagnose the cause of symptoms.

Factors Responsible for MS

Researchers are still unable to propose the exact cause of MS occurrence; however various studies performed in different parts of the world have evidently an interesting data suggesting environmental, genetic makeup of the organism and viral entry; to be possibly responsible for MS.

These evidences of MS epidemics in a particular zone suggest an environmental factor, to be responsible for MS. Scientists have as well theorized that the expression of some gene and epigenetic changes due to environmental cause, viral entry can trigger an autoimmune response in MS patients. The growing evidences have suggested that some women with the increased level of sex hormones can suppress the immune system in an auto immune condition.

Thus in general due to environmental factors, viruses and changes of lifestyles; it is proved that the evidence of MS has increased over the course of period.

Symptoms Associated with MS

Some of the early symptoms of MS are easily manageable such as

• Visual Disturbances
• Muscle Weakness
• Trouble with coordination and balance
• Sensations in the feet and hands such as numbness, prickling, tingling, etc.

Later on as the disease progresses, the severity of the symptoms also increase; a person may experience

• Optic Neuritis, i.e. severe nerve damage
• Thinking and memory problems
• Fatigue as well as tremors
• Problems with thinking, learning and planning
• Blurred speech
• Problem with the bowel movements

There are different types of MS, with different symptomatic observations such as

• Relapsing- remitting MS : – It is the most common form of the disease with defined attacks of worsening neurologic al function. However these attacks are followed by partial or complete recovery period. The data suggest that approximately 85% of the people are initially diagnosed with the type of MS.

• Secondary Progressive MS : – As the name suggest, this is the follow up transition phase after relapsing-remitting MS.

• Primary Progressive MS : – It is characterized by progressive yet steady worsening of neurological damage. The type has been observed in about 10% of the cases.

• Progressive Relapsing MS : – This is the least common of the disease and is characterized by steady progression of the disease with occasion exacerbations along the way.

What goes wrong in MS?

Multiple Sclerosis is potentially harmful disease of the central nervous system, involving the brain and spinal cord. The brain is the primary organ responsible for controlling all the body movements. It passes on the information in the form of signals with the help of neurons through spinal cord.

However, in case of MS patients the myelin sheath is severely damaged by the autoimmune dysfunction of the body.  Myelin sheath is a type of a fatty structure surrounding the nerve fibers as well as neurons acting as an insulator to protect them from outer shock. Although when this myelin sheath is severely damaged, neurons are easily exposed and damaged. This can in turn halt the signal transmission process.

The disease is thought to be triggered due to some environmental factors in genetic susceptible individuals.

Stem cell treatment for MS

Most of the available disease modifying treatments can only act as rehabilitative approach to reduce the symptoms associated with the disease. These treatments can thus manage relapsing attacks in MS patients, although for progressive MS definitive yet effective solutions are high in demand. Stem cells treatment can offer tremendous hope to the MS patients especially in addressing the challenges in disease progression. In today’s time, the stem cell treatment is the most preferred non invasive treatment available. Various strategies have been applied by the medical science to limit the brain cells damage and reduce the symptoms with the help of stem cells.

Stem cells are the unique preliminary cells of our body, which are capable of transdifferentiation in various cell lineages. This fundamental property of stem cells has been potentially exploited by many scientists for their clinical applications. These stem cells lay dormant in the organ throughout the life of an individual but whenever there is a demand can work in synchronization with tissue specific cells for faster regeneration and recovery.

Due to advanced technology, it is now possible to isolate stem cells from two of the richest sources of our body such as Bone Marrow. These stem cells when infused into the cerebrospinal fluid of the spinal cord can differentiate into neuronal precursor cells to restore the lost brain function.

Treatment of MS at GIOSTAR

We have mastered the technology for isolating maximum number of viable stem cells from either the autologous sources of your own body or allogeneically with the matched donor to treat various forms of MS.

 We are the licensed, private organization with the excellent, well equipped state of the art facility to isolate, process and enrich the viable number of stem cells, which can be re infused back into the patient’s body. Generally, these cells are administered through any one of the below mentioned methods depending upon our expert’s advice:

• Intrathecal Administration:-Through this mode, cell are infused in the cerebrospinal fluid through the subarachnoid spaces of the spinal canal.

• Intravenous Administration:- Through this mode, cells are infused through the veins to expand blood volumes in the central nervous system, to ensure that the maximum number of cells are reaching to the targeted area.

 Once infused back in the body, these cells can reach at the targeted site through their strong paracrine effects and differentiate into lost neurons or help revive the damaged ones to restore their function back.

Thus with our standardized, broad based and holistic approach, it is now possible to obtain noticeable improvements and stoppage of progression in the patients with progressive MS.

What Sets Us Apart

• Headquartered in USA.
• The founder is leading stem cell scientist credited with helping in setting up the stem cell research labs at top research institutions in the US including Salk Research Institute, Sanford-Burnham Institute, UCI, UCSD.
• Scientific And Medical Advisers/Consultants are comprising of luminaries who have worked at University of California, San Diego (UCSD), University of California Irvine (UCI).
• State of the art and the first private hospital in the India inaugurated by (then Chief Minister of State of Gujarat) and present Prime Minister of India.
• One of the world’s largest Stem Cell Hospital funded by the government of Gujarat, India.

Disclaimer : Results may vary for each patient. GIOSTAR practice the application of stem cell therapy within the legal regulations of each country.