Stem Cell Therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease
An estimated 5.3 million Americans have Alzheimer’s Disease, with nearly 97% of those over the age of 65. Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly, progressively becoming worse overtime and become severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. While the cause of Alzheimer’s Disease is still unknown, many scientists and experts believe the disease is caused by multiple factors with one common factor being advancing age.
New treatments and advances in scientific research is giving new hope to people affected by Alzheimer’s Disease. StemGenex Stem Cell Research Centre provides stem cell therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease to help those with unmet clinical needs achieve optimum health and better quality of life.
Stem cell treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease may help patients who don’t respond to typical drug treatment, want to reduce their reliance on medication, or are looking to try stem cell therapy before starting drug treatment.
To learn more about adult stem cell therapy through StemGenex Stem Cell Research Centre, please contact one of our Patient Advocates at (800) 609-7795. Below are some frequently asked questions about stem cell therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease.
Frequently Asked Questions for Alzheimer's Stem Cell Therapy
- How can stem cells be used to treat patients with Alzheimer's Disease?
Stem cells that come from your adipose (fat) tissue have distinct functional properties including immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory functional properties which have the capability of repairing and regenerating damaged tissue associated with disease and injury.
- What are stem cells?
Stem cells are the basic building blocks of human tissue and have the ability to repair, rebuild, and rejuvenate tissues in the body. When a disease or injury strikes, stem cells respond to specific signals and set about to facilitate the healing process by differentiating into specialized cells required for the body’s repair.
- What are the different types of stem cells?
There are four known types of stem cells which include:
- Adult Stem Cells
- Embryonic Stem Cells
- Fetal Stem Cells
- Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs)
StemGenex Medical Group provides autologous adult stem cells (from fat tissue) where the stem cells come from the person receiving treatment.
- What type of stem cells does StemGenex Medical Group use for stem cell treatment?
StemGenex Medical Group provides autologous adult adipose-derived stem cells (from fat tissue) where the stem cells come from the person receiving treatment.
- When do we use the body's stem cells?
We tap into our body’s stem cell reserve daily to repair and replace damaged or diseased tissue. When the body’s reserve is limited and as it becomes depleted, the regenerative power of our body decreases and we succumb to disease and injury.
- What are the sources of stem cells from one's own body?
Three sources of stem cells from a patient’s body are used clinically which include adipose tissue (fat), bone marrow and peripheral blood.
- What is an adipose stem cell therapy procedure?
Performed by Board Certified Physicians, dormant stem cells are extracted from the patient’s adipose tissue (fat) through a minimally invasive mini-liposuction procedure with little to no downtime.
During the liposuction procedure, a small area (typically the abdomen) is numbed with an anesthetic and patients receive mild to moderate sedation. Next, the extracted dormant stem cells are isolated from the fat and activated, and then comfortably infused back into the patient intravenously (IV) and via other directly targeted methods of administration. The out-patient procedure takes approximately four to five hours.
- How are the stem cells administered back into Alzheimer's patients through StemGenex?
StemGenex Medical Group provides multiple administration methods for Alzheimer's Disease patients to best target the disease related conditions and symptoms which include:
- Intravenously (IV) – directed into the vein
- Intra Nasal – administration to access a highly vascular pathway of the nose to encourage stem cells to travel past the blood brain barrier
- Directly targeted methods of administration – injected directly into the site that needs repair, i.e., muscles and tendons
- How long will it take to see results?
Since each condition and patient are unique, there is no guarantee of what results will be achieved or how quickly they may be observed. According to patient feedback, many patients report results in one to three months, however, it may take as long as six to nine months. Individuals interested in stem cell therapy are urged to consult with their physician before choosing investigational autologous adipose-derived stem cell therapy as a treatment option.
- Am I a candidate for stem cell therapy at StemGenex Medical Group?
In order to determine if you are a good candidate for adult stem cell treatment, you will need to complete a medical history form which will be provided by your StemGenex Medical Group Patient Advocate. Once you complete and submit your medical history form, our medical team will review your records and determine if you are a qualified candidate for adult stem cell therapy.
- How long does it take to schedule an appointment?
StemGenex Medical Group team members are here to help assist and guide you through the patient process.
- In order to determine if you are a good candidate for adult stem cell treatment, you will need to complete a medical history form which will be provided by your StemGenex Medical Group Patient Advocate.
- Once you complete and submit your medical history form, our medical team will review your records and determine if you are a qualified candidate for adult stem cell therapy.
- Once approved, your Patient Advocate will assist you with scheduling your appointment for stem cell treatment.
- The process of scheduling an appointment typically takes one to three weeks from the time of the initial contact to the date of your first appointment.
- Do I have to live in California to receive stem cell therapy through StemGenex Medical Group?
Patients travel to StemGenex Medical Group located in Del Mar, California located in San Diego County for stem cell treatment from all over the United States, Canada and around the globe. Treatment will consist of one visit lasting a total of three days. The therapy is minimally invasive and there is little to no down time. Majority of patients fly home the day after treatment.
- Are there any known side-effects to the procedure?
The side effects of the mini-liposuction procedure are minimal and may include but are not limited to: minor swelling, bruising and redness at the procedure site, minor fever, headache, or nausea. However, these side effects typically last no longer than 24 hours and are experienced mostly by people with sensitivity to mild anesthesia. No long-term negative side effects or risks have been reported.
The side effects of adipose-derived stem cell therapy are minimal and may include but are not limited to: infection, minor bleeding at the treatment sites and localized pain. However, these side effects typically last no longer than 24 hours. No long-term negative side effects or risks have been reported.
- Are there any moral or religious issues with regards to adipose stem cell transplant?
StemGenex Medical Group provides adult stem cell treatment with mesenchymal stem cells which come from the person receiving treatment. Embryonic stem cells are typically associated with ethical and political controversies.
- Is adult adipose stem cell therapy FDA approved?
The FDA is currently in the process of defining a regulatory path for cellular therapies. A Scientific Workshop and Public Hearing – Draft Guidances Relating to the Regulation of Human Cells, Tissues or Cellular or Tissue-Based Products was held in September 2016 at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, MD. Currently, stem cell treatment is not FDA approved.
In March 2016, bipartisan legislation, the REGROW Act was introduced to the Senate and House of Representatives to develop and advance stem cell therapies.
- Is stem cell therapy covered by insurance?
Stem cell treatment is not covered by health insurance at this time. The cost for standard preoperative labs are included. Additional specific labs may be requested at the patient’s expense.
- What are the symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease?
People suffering from Alzheimer's Disease often suffer from the following symptoms:
- Memory loss
- Difficulty completing normal tasks
- Difficulty with interpretation of visual information
- Reduced judgement
- Inability to speak or write
- Change in mood