Alzheimer's Stem Cell Study to renew by Alzheimer's Awareness Month

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. - Oct. 29, 2019 - PRLog -- The Alzheimer's Autism Cognitive Impairment Stem Cell Treatment study or ACIST is on track to successfully renew by November in time for Alzheimer's Awareness Month.

      " We expect the study to be approved again by our Institutional Review Board and to continue at least an additional year, " explained Steven Levy MD, CEO of MD Stem Cells and Study Director for the ACIST study. " We are pleased that the study renewal will coincide with Alzheimer's Awareness Month which has been honored since 1983." Alzheimer's is the leading cause of dementia and approximately 50 million people and their families are living with Alzheimer's worldwide.

      The ACIST study provides treatment with the patient's own bone marrow derived stem cells (BMSC) in compliance with FDA guidelines and using an FDA cleared class 2 device under anesthesia at a fully licensed surgical center in Florida.   Participation in ACIST is potentially an option for patients with Alzheimer's Disease (ALZ or AD) as well as other dementias such as Lewy Body, Vascular, Frontotemporal, Mixed, Parkinson's, Wernicke-Korsakoff, CADASIL, Creutzfeld-Jakob and others.  Adult patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) may also be eligible. As proven in animal models, ACIST provides BMSC via intravenous with entry into the brain through the paraventricular organs and intranasal (lower third of the nose) entry on cranial nerves into the brain.  All participating patients receive stem cells and there is no sham or placebo arm.  Patients are tracked over the following year for potential improvement.

      Scientific reports have been positive regarding use of BMSC in neurologic diseases. BMSC can release exosomes containing Nerve Growth Factor, neurotrophic factors and miRNA to provide help to damaged neurons.  Stem cells can induce direct regeneration of neurons and synapses and prevent inflammatory cells called microglia from being 'turned on'.  Evidence is suggesting that stem cell treatment may promote neurotransmission, neurogenesis and prevent or clear amyloid and tau.

      "There have been no complications in the study and there are indications of potential benefit, "reports Dr. Levy. "Although data is insufficient to draw conclusions at this time, we are optimistic regarding the role treatment with BMSC may play in these diseases."

       Patients may receive information about the study or copies /links to scientific papers by emailing Dr. Levy at stevenlevy@mdstemcells.com; using the 'contact us' page on the website https://www.mdstemcells.com ; calling 954-417-5533 to leave a message with their telephone number; alternative number 203-423-9494.  MD Stem Cells has no grant support for ACIST and is not a pharmaceutical company; this is a patient sponsored study and the patients pay for both treatment and travel.