Alok Sharma
NeuroGen Brain and Spine Institute, India
Title: Stem cell therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorder
Biography
Biography: Alok Sharma
Abstract
Stem cell therapy has emerged as a potential therapeutic startegy for Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It can alter the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of ASD such as immune dysfunction, hypoperfusion, neuroinflammation, abnormal functioning and connectivity of the brain through the regenerative capabilities and paracrine effects of stem cells.
We studied 32 patients with ASD treated with autologous BMMNCs intrathecal transplantation and multidisciplinary rehabilitation over a period of 26 months, with an average of 12.7 months. Outcome measures used were Indian Scale for Assessment of Autism (ISAA), Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and Clinical Global Impression scale (CGI) and Positron Emission Tomography – Computed tomography (PET – CT) scans. 91% of the patients showed improvements. Post intervention there was a statistically significant improvement in ISAA score (p < 0.001 ) and CGI scores (p=0.001). Statistically significant improvement was noted in all the domains of ISAA scales. Significant symptmatic improvements were observed in eye contact, hyperactivity, attention and concentration, social behaviour and repetitive motor mannerisms. In 3 children seizures were noted as an adverse event which was managed medically and did not affect the improvements post intervention. We also studied 13 patients with ASD, who showed improved brain metabolism post cellular transplantation on PET – CT scan that corroborated with the clinical findings.