What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis, also called as disseminated sclerosis is known to be the most fickle neurodegenerative
disease; that can either be benign or malignant leading to major disability. Although, the exact cause of the
disease is still unknown; researchers have proved that the disease is generally triggered by various
environmental causative factors in a person who is genetically prone for the response.

Prevalence of Multiple Sclerosis

As such it has been estimated that the distribution of number of cases of MS around the world is very
uneven. On an average, worldwide reported cases of MS are more than 25 million. Researchers have also
deciphered that the proportion of women with MS is increasing to the extent that approximately two to
three women have MS for every man with the similar condition.

The study of geographical distribution has revealed that the parts of Asia, Africa and America on the
equator have low evidences of the cases as compared to Canada as well as Scotland; bearing very high
incidences. In fact, the MS being more common in northern Europe, North America, Australia, and New
Zealand; it is believed that the MS has been carried around the world by Europe. The Multiple Sclerosis is
indeed a well understood disease of temperate climates.

Stem Cell Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis

Current Treatment & Prognosis

Currently, many doctors prescribe medications in terms of steroids to the MS patients as a part of
rehabilitative solution. However, as we all know long term use of steroids can be very harmful posing;
various life threatening complications. Another form of treatment, which is generally offered, is an
immunosuppressant that again can welcome many opportunistic infections, carrying serious risk.

A doctor may diagnose the MS differently in different patients; as in, the diagnosis can be quick and easy
for some patients whereas in some other case however doctor may not be able to readily diagnose the
cause of symptoms.
Factors Responsible for MS

Researchers are still unable to propose the exact cause of MS occurrence; however various studies
performed in different parts of the world have evidently an interesting data suggesting environmental,
genetic makeup of the organism and viral entry; to be possibly responsible for MS.

These evidences of MS epidemics in a particular zone suggest an environmental factor, to be responsible

for MS. Scientists have as well theorized that the expression of some gene and epigenetic changes due to
environmental cause, viral entry can trigger an autoimmune response in MS patients. The growing
evidences have suggested that some women with the increased level of sex hormones can suppress the
immune system in an auto immune condition.

Thus in general due to environmental factors, viruses and changes of lifestyles; it is proved that the
evidence of MS has increased over the course of period.

Symptoms Associated with MS

Some of the early symptoms of MS are easily manageable such as

Visual Disturbances
Muscle Weakness
Trouble with coordination and balance
Sensations in the feet and hands such as numbness, prickling, tingling, etc.

Later on as the disease progresses, the severity of the symptoms also increase; a person may experience

Optic Neuritis, i.e. severe nerve damage

Thinking and memory problems
Fatigue as well as tremors
Problems with thinking, learning and planning
Blurred speech
Problem with the bowel movements

There are different types of MS, with different symptomatic observations such as

Relapsing- remitting MS : It is the most common form of the disease with defined attacks of
worsening neurologic al function. However these attacks are followed by partial or complete
recovery period. The data suggest that approximately 85% of the people are initially diagnosed
with the type of MS.
Secondary Progressive MS : As the name suggest, this is the follow up transition phase after
relapsing-remitting MS.
Primary Progressive MS : It is characterized by progressive yet steady worsening of
neurological damage. The type has been observed in about 10% of the cases.
Progressive Relapsing MS : This is the least common of the disease and is characterized by
steady progression of the disease with occasion exacerbations along the way.

What goes wrong in MS?

Multiple Sclerosis is potentially harmful disease of the central nervous system, involving the brain and
spinal cord. The brain is the primary organ responsible for controlling all the body movements. It passes on
the information in the form of signals with the help of neurons through spinal cord.

However, in case of MS patients the myelin sheath is severely damaged by the autoimmune dysfunction of
the body. Myelin sheath is a type of a fatty structure surrounding the nerve fibers as well as neurons acting
as an insulator to protect them from outer shock. Although when this myelin sheath is severely damaged,
neurons are easily exposed and damaged. This can in turn halt the signal transmission process.

The disease is thought to be triggered due to some environmental factors in genetic susceptible individuals.

Stem cell treatment for MS

Most of the available disease modifying treatments can only act as rehabilitative approach to reduce the
symptoms associated with the disease. These treatments can thus manage relapsing attacks in MS patients,
although for progressive MS definitive yet effective solutions are high in demand. Stem cells treatment can
offer tremendous hope to the MS patients especially in addressing the challenges in disease progression. In
todays time, the stem cell treatment is the most preferred non invasive treatment available. Various
strategies have been applied by the medical science to limit the brain cells damage and reduce the
symptoms with the help of stem cells.

Stem cells are the unique preliminary cells of our body, which are capable of transdifferentiation in various
cell lineages. This fundamental property of stem cells has been potentially exploited by many scientists for
their clinical applications. These stem cells lay dormant in the organ throughout the life of an individual but
whenever there is a demand can work in synchronization with tissue specific cells for faster regeneration
and recovery.

Due to advanced technology, it is now possible to isolate stem cells from two of the richest sources of our
body such as Bone Marrow. These stem cells when infused into the cerebrospinal fluid of the spinal cord
can differentiate into neuronal precursor cells to restore the lost brain function.

Treatment of MS at GIOSTAR

We have mastered the technology for isolating maximum number of viable stem cells from either the
autologous sources of your own body or allogeneically with the matched donor to treat various forms of
MS.

We are the licensed, private organization with the excellent, well equipped state of the art facility to
isolate, process and enrich the viable number of stem cells, which can be re infused back into the patients
body. Generally, these cells are administered through any one of the below mentioned methods depending
upon our experts advice:

Intrathecal Administration:-Through this mode, cell are infused in the cerebrospinal fluid
through the subarachnoid spaces of the spinal canal.

Intravenous Administration:- Through this mode, cells are infused through the veins along with
the mannitol to expand blood volumes in the central nervous system, to ensure that the maximum
number of cells are reaching to the targeted area.

Once infused back in the body, these cells can reach at the targeted site through their strong paracrine
effects and differentiate into lost neurons or help revive the damaged ones to restore their function back.

Thus with our standardized, broad based and holistic approach, it is now possible to obtain noticeable
improvements and stoppage of progression in the patients with progressive MS.