Stem cell therapy is a relatively new medical intervention made possible only by recent technological innovations in medicine. There has been extensive research in the field, but still much more to do in the area of stem cell therapies for children and adults with autism. 

In this article, we’ll take you through the history of these stem therapies, advances in this therapy for autism and how modern stem cell therapy is one of the best types of therapy for autism.

The History of Stem Cell Therapies

While the exact origin of this modern therapy is uncertain, research began in the 1960s when scientists discovered blood-forming stem cells called hematopoietic cells. 

The first therapies involved using hematopoietic cells taken from a donor to stimulate the production of healthy blood cells in patients with damaged blood marrow. This sparked more interest in this area of research.

The controversial embryonic cell therapies began in 1998 when scientists grew human embryonic stem cells in a laboratory for the first time.

Scientists continue to perform stem cell research, and many countries, like South Korea and Israel, are investing heavily in the field. By studying embryonic cells, researchers have gained a deeper understanding of how human cells function.

Stem Cell Therapies and Autism: The Early Connections

After the initial discovery of hematopoietic cells for blood marrow transplants, scientists continued to explore other applications of this new therapy. This led to the discovery of stem cell therapies for cognitive disorders.

At Duke University, researchers discovered that these therapies were effective at treating metabolic disorders. The patients who recovered from metabolic disorders also experienced an improvement in cognitive functions, and researchers realized stem cell therapy has the potential to treat cognitive disorders like autism.

Advances in Stem Cell Therapies for Autism

Research in stem cell therapy for cognitive disorders began with research into similar therapies for cerebral palsy. Success in this area led to research in the application of this therapy for similar conditions, like autism. Today, research for this type of therapy in treating autism is still in its early stages.

Photo by Logan Moreno Gutierrez on Unsplash

While there is limited research on stem cell therapy for autism spectrum disorder, there is an abundance of research that supports the effectiveness of this therapy for other neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer’s disease. For Alzheimer’s patients, this therapy reduces brain swelling and repairs damaged neurons. 

The positive effects of this therapy in treating other cognitive disorders mean the therapy has lots of potential for treating autism.

Current State of Stem Cell Therapies in Treating Autism

Today, stem cell therapy for autistic adults and children provides the following benefits.

Treatment of gastrointestinal and immune system issues

There is a strong link between autism and gastrointestinal and immune system issues. Autism therapy services that use stem cell treatment effectively treat these issues.

Cognitive Improvements

The positive effects stem cell therapy has on cognitive development make it the best therapy for autism. Cognitive improvements include:

• Increase learning capacity
• Enhance memory
• Improve adaptation to the surrounding environment for children and adults with autism.

Preventing the progression of autism

Stem cell therapy is especially effective at treating autism, with treatment preventing the disease from progressing in 85% of patients.

Future Prospects of Stem Cell Therapies for Autism

The link between stem cells and autism has only just begun to be understood. Autism therapy is constantly developing and future advances will make way for more accessible stem cell therapy treatment. 

Adult stem cells

With institutions like Swiss Medica already using adult stem cells, embryonic cells may no longer be used in the future, which would remove the negative ethical concerns associated with stem cell therapies. 

Open Access research

There needs to be more research into stem cell therapy for autism. Fortunately, many institutions are promoting open-access research, which would allow all members of the scientific community to have access to valuable information and make further advancements in stem cell therapy for autism.

With the use of adult stem cells and the promotion of open-access research, this therapy can become a viable and affordable autism treatment.

In conclusion

Stem cell therapy began when scientists discovered how to transplant blood cells to help patients with blood marrow disease. Today, Scientists are studying a wide application of uses for this therapy, including stem cell therapy for treating autism.

With continuous research in the field and more open-access research policies, this promising therapy may become commonplace in every autism therapy group.

Photo by Piotr Cichosz on Unsplash

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