With nearly 10 million people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, it is one of the most common neurodegenerative conditions in the world. It starts off with symptoms that seem harmless at first, but can over time become so restrictive that they hamper patients’ lifestyles, leading to anxiety and depression.
Where the primary focus of traditional treatments for Parkinson’s is simply on managing symptoms, stem cell therapy is proving to be a pathbreaking management strategy that significantly improves everyday functionality and quality of life.
In this blog, we’ll briefly touch upon the symptoms of Parkinson’s and its typical characteristics, before shifting focus to how stem cell therapy can change the course of Parkinson’s treatment in India.
Understanding Parkinson’s
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive, chronic, and degenerative brain disorder that impairs muscle control, balance, and movement. It results in the deterioration of the cells in substantia nigra (in the basal ganglia). It inhibits the brain’s ability to produce dopamine, the happy hormone. As the disease progresses, the neurons in the brain completely deteriorate. This leads to severe motor impairment, tremor, stiffness, slowed or delayed movement, dysphagia, sleep issues, fatigue, difficulty in speech, etc.
Symptoms of Parkinson’s
Parkinson’s patients may experience any or a combination of the below symptoms:
- Tremor
- Drooling
- Dysphagia
- Dizzy spells
- Slurred speech
- Stooped posture
- Dragging of feet
- Depression and anxiety
- Spastic limb movements
- Hypomimia or masked face
- Shaky fingers, hands, or lips
- Poor coordination and balance
- Micrographia or small handwriting
- Loss of bladder and bowel control
- Hypophonia or unusually soft voice
- Numbness or weakness in the limbs
- Slowing of movement (bradykinesia)
- Loss of control over movements like blinking or smiling
- Difficulty in standing up after sitting for a long duration and vice versa
- Loss of muscle control in first one side of the body and then the other
- Dyskinesia or involuntary movement such as jerks, twitches, and twisting movements that are uncontrollable
Before we delve into the intricacies of stem cell therapy for Parkinson’s, let’s take a look at two cases that were managed by Team Plexus, spearheaded by Dr Na’eem Sadiq, India’s award-winning stem cell specialist.
From depression to confidence
A 58-year-old businessman from Bangalore, Mr J, started experiencing tremors (a symptom typical to Parkinson’s) back in 2014. At first, he didn’t give them much importance and dismissed the tremors as trembling spells. However, when more serious symptoms such as muscle pain, stiffness, and involuntary movements started setting in, Mr J consulted several doctors. Unfortunately, most of them came back with a common diagnosis — Parkinson’s disease. The condition slowly began to take over Mr J’s every action, often leaving him unable to even fulfil his day-to-day tasks. To make matters worse, Mr J began suffering from facial tremors that made clear speech difficult. Soon enough, the daily battle with Parkinson’s started to eat into Mr J’s motivation to interact with people, pushing him closer to depression. He went from clinic to clinic, looking to relieve his condition with a permanent solution but was always disappointed with what he found. In April 2015, Mr J came across Plexus and its multidisciplinary team. We conducted a detailed investigation of his condition and designed a customized treatment program for him. In just two short months, Mr J’s symptoms became less intense, his speech became clearer, and he regained the confidence to live independently. Most importantly, by putting him on a fast track to recovery, stem cell therapy at Plexus helped Mr J believe in himself again.
A step towards good health
Mr A, a 35-year-old man working in London, was shocked when in 2010 doctors informed him that the slight tremor in his left arm and his gradually reducing walking speed were signs of Parkinson’s disease. The next year Mr A returned to Delhi where some doctors recommended physical exercises — something he couldn’t really do because of extreme pain, numbness, and poor posture. For seven long years after the diagnosis, Mr A struggled with Parkinson’s debilitating symptoms and the side effects of steroids, which offered only temporary relief. By this point, having lost all hope and at his wit’s end, Mr A began a slow slide towards depression. It was his wife’s optimism and insistence on taking him to various Ayurveda, allopathy, and homeopathy practitioners that helped keep Mr A’s spirits up during this phase in his life. One day, while Mrs A was looking for treatment options online, she came across Plexus Neuro and Stem Cell Research Centre. The couple immediately spoke with Dr Na’eem Sadiq, who convinced them to move to Bangalore in 2018 for stem cell therapy. During the two-month long, intensive treatment session at our centre, Mr A underwent a holistic intervention program that included physio, occupational, and stem cell therapy sessions. Throughout the course of his treatment, he was also prescribed carefully regulated nutritional supplements that met his dietary requirements. Apart from the centre’s international healthcare standards, the care and attention shown by the Plexus team and Dr Sadiq’s positivity left a lasting impression on Mr A. After years of staying away from his hobbies, he celebrated his speedy recovery by participating in singing and painting competitions organized at the centre. At the end of his treatment period — armed with the confidence of good health — Mr A left the centre a changed man.
Stem Cell Therapy for Parkinson’s
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells with the incredible ability to develop into various cell types. This unique feature makes them the ideal choice for regenerative medicine, especially in neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson’s disease.
Healthy stem cells are introduced into the brain to replace damaged or lost neurons, and restore normal functioning in the brain. The procedure holds immense promise for slowing or even halting the progression of Parkinson’s disease. At Plexus, we use mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as part of our customized regenerative rehabilitation program for Parkinson’s. The regenerative, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties of MSCs make them a compelling candidate for addressing the complex pathology of Parkinson’s.
Let’s take a look at the characteristics of MSCs and how they help improve the quality of life patients with Parkinson’s:
Regenerative Ability
Neuronal Differentiation
MSCs can differentiate into various cell types, including neurons. Once they are introduced into the brain, they have the potential to replace damaged or lost dopamine-producing neurons, thereby slowing down progression of Parkinson’s.
Neurotrophic Factor Production
MSCs secrete neurotrophic factors that support the survival and growth of existing neurons. This neuroprotective effect is vital in preventing further degeneration of dopamine-producing cells.
Anti-Inflammatory and Immunomodulatory Effects
Reducing Neuroinflammation
Neuroinflammation in Parkinson’s leads to neuronal damage. MSCs’ anti-inflammatory properties help modulate the inflammatory response, and in doing so create a more favorable environment for neuronal survival.
Immunomodulation
MSCs’ ability to modulate the immune system, suppress harmful immune responses and promote an anti-inflammatory environment, can significantly reduce the autoimmune component often associated with Parkinson’s.
Enhancing Neuroplasticity
Promoting Synaptic Connectivity
MSCs can enhance synaptic connectivity between neurons. This is critical for restoring functional connections in the brain, improving motor and cognitive functions affected by Parkinson’s.
Reducing Motor Symptoms
Improving Motor Function
Clinical trials and studies have indicated improvements in motor function and behavioral outcomes in patients with Parkinson’s post MSC treatment. By differentiating into dopamine-producing neurons or promoting the survival of existing neurons, MSCs may contribute to the restoration of dopamine levels, alleviating motor symptoms.
Stem cell therapy for Parkinson’s is a paradigm shift in the approach to treating the condition. Owing to its success in providing relief to patients and helping them avoid both the pain caused by surgery and side effects of drugs, stem cell therapy is increasingly being suggested by doctors as a treatment option for chronic illnesses. At Plexus, we are always on a mission to take this modern miracle to the people who need it the most.
To know more about stem cell therapy for Parkinson’s, reach out to Team Plexus today.
WhatsApp +91 89048 42087
Call +91 78159 64668 (Hyderabad) | +91 82299 99888 (Bangalore)
FAQs
What is the best treatment for Parkinson disease in India?
Plexus’ Parkinson’s multidisciplinary rehabilitation program is the best treatment for the disease in India. It includes:
- Stem cell therapy
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
- Agility training
- Hand function training
- Bradykinesia management
- Rigidity management and more
How long does stage 5 Parkinson’s last?
In stage 5, individuals often experience significant motor symptoms, increased disability, and may require a wheelchair or become bedridden. The duration of this stage can range from several months to several years, and the progression is highly individualized.
You can read more about the 5 stages of Parkinson’s here.
What is stage 4 Parkinson’s disease?
Typically, stage 4 of Parkinson’s involves significant disability, requiring assistance with daily activities. Independence is drastically reduced, and balance issues become more prominent, thereby increasing the risk of falls. Mobility decreases, often necessitating the use of assistive devices for walking.
What are 2 new early signs of Parkinson’s?
Tremors and slowed movements (bradykinesia) are the two early signs of Parkinson’s.
