Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) refers to a group of conditions called motor system disorders, which are the end result of the die-off of dopamine-producing cells in an area of the brain that includes the substantia nigra. It is a variably progressive disease that is typically characterized by tremor or trembling in hands, arms, legs, jaw, and face; stiffness or rigidity of the limbs and trunk; slowness when it comes to getting around or moving about; and impaired balance and coordination. As the disease progresses sufferers may experience difficulty walking, talking, or completing other simple routine tasks. In addition, some sufferers experience depression and other emotional changes; difficulty swallowing, chewing, and speaking; incontinence or conversely, constipation; various kinds of skin issues; and sleep disruptions or disturbances.

Parkinson's disease usually affects people over the age of fifty (50) with the early symptoms being typically subtle and gradual in nature. In some folks it progresses more quickly than in others. The suspected triggers of this insidious disease are many and varied and include genetic factors and exposure to specific pesticides. One medical innovator, Dr. David Steenblock, has fingered a number of hitherto overlooked or under-examined players in PD which he discusses in this thought provoking article.

Currently, there is no cure for PD, though a variety of drugs exist that confer sometimes dramatic relief from the disconcerting symptoms. Most patients are placed on (levodopa http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levodopa) which the brain uses to make the neurotransmitter dopamine, and carbidopa which slows the conversion of levodopa into dopamine until it reaches the brain. Although levodopa is beneficial in about 75% of PD patients, not all symptoms respond equally to the drug. Slowness of movement (Bradykinesia) and rigidity respond best, while tremor may only be nominally impacted. Balance issues and other symptoms may not be helped at all. A class of drugs called anticholinergics helps some PD patients manage tremor and rigidity. Drugs such as bromocriptine, pramipexole, and ropinirole can help too, owed to the fact they all mimic the role of dopamine in the brain and by so doing cause neurons to react as they would to the actual neurotransmitter itself. During May 2006, the FDA approved rasagiline for use with levodopa for patients with advanced PD or as a single-drug treatment measure for early PD.

Some PD sufferers who do not respond adequately to pharmaceutical or other treatments benefit from deep brain stimulation (DBS), which enjoys FDA approval. In DBS, electrodes are implanted into the brain and hooked up to a small electrical device called a pulse generator that is externally programmable. DBS can reduce reliance on levodopa and related drugs, which in turn decreases involuntary movements called dyskinesias that are a common side effect of this drug. It also reduces tremors, slowness of movements, and gait issues.

PD is both chronic and progressive in nature, meaning its symptoms tend to grow worse with the passage of time. Although some sufferers become severely disabled, others wrestle with only minor motor disruptions. Tremor is the principle symptom for some patients, while others experience little of this but may experience other symptoms that are more troublesome. No one can yet precisely predict which symptoms will affect individual patients and to what degree over time.

The question arises: What, if anything, can extant forms of stem therapies afford PD sufferers? On the one hand, published research points to lots of promise, yes but little in terms of definitive studies or such. On the other, powerful anecdotal evidence has emerged that suggests that specific adult stem cell treatment approaches can confer tremendous benefits to PD sufferers. Dr. David Steenblock (mentioned previously) has, in fact, come up with a treatment protocol including legal use of a PD patient's own bone marrow that is fast racking up clinical successes. The highpoints of this novel clinical approach are as follows:


     - Following a comprehensive physical from their personal physician, patients inject an FDA approved stem cell mobilizing drug over a specific period of time prior to getting a bone marrow transplant.

     - After the patient has finished the injections, he or she comes to Dr. Steenblock's Clinic where they get five (5) daily IV infusions of stem cell activating factors.

     - At a specific point-in-time after their last injection of the FDA approved stem cell mobilizing drug mentioned above, they again use this drug to increase the number of hematopoietic stem cells in the blood.

     - Next, the patient has the bone marrow harvesting followed by its infusion by IV drip, in tandem with injections of a proprietary blend of FDA approved stem cell mobilizing drugs followed by forty-five (45) minutes of intermittent hypoxia, Functional electrical stimulation and Whole Body Periodic Acceleration Therapy.

     - The combination of intermittent hypoxia, Functional electrical stimulation and Whole Body Periodic Acceleration Therapy is done every day while patients are at Dr. Steenblock's clinic, always on the heels of daily IV drip infusions of stem cell activating factors. This regimen is geared to mobilize a patient's own stem cells and to both increase levels of VEGF and dilate blood vessels via increased Nitric Oxide production.

Readers interested in learning more about Dr. Steenblock and his leading edge treatment for PD are invited to call his clinic at 1-949-367-8870 or use this on-line contact form which can be readily accessed by clicking this link.

It should be noted that at least a modicum of research has accrued suggesting that umbilical cord blood derived stem cells can impact PD. Click this link to access some of these studies.

StemCell.MD works with clinics in Mexico that have been successfully employing adult (non-embryonic) stem cell treatments for Parkinson's disease for many years now, primarily human umbilical cord derived cells. Their case history evidence of efficacy includes many impressive responses and date back many years. You can learn more by calling 1-800-288-7016 (8 am to 5 pm Pacific Time. If you call before or after business hours, please leave a message and someone on StemCell.MD's staff will get back to you as soon as possible) or e-mailing us at info@stemcell.md.