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Can Stem Cell Therapy Be Effective In Treating Mitochondrial Disease?
Question: Hello, Doctor! My 6 yr old son is a case of global development delay and seizure d/o with myclonic jerks. presently under treatment at NIMHANS, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX and suspected to have mitochondrial d/o but mitochondrial cytopathy reports are negative. The child is regressing in his motor and speech. Doctors at NIMHANS advised IVIG and genetic test. Heard about stem cell therapy may cure the disorder. Whether stem cell therapy can be done in NIMHANS. Pl adv whether stem cell therapy will be effective for the said D/O. If so any side effects & how to go about it. Pl advice. Regards
Brief Answer:
Stem cell therapy is not proven.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
I have noted your son's symptoms and the treatment plan.
Stem cell therapy has not been proven to be effective for mitochondrial disease, however, it is under evaluation. So, it should be tried in your son's case.
Co enzyme Q10 and antioxidants are proven to be effective. These include riboflavin, L-Creatine, L-Arginine, L-Carnitine, Vitamin E, Vitamin C and alpha lipoic acid.
IVIG has also not been proven in mitochondrial disease.
I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information.
Wishing you good health,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in
Stem cell therapy is not proven.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
I have noted your son's symptoms and the treatment plan.
Stem cell therapy has not been proven to be effective for mitochondrial disease, however, it is under evaluation. So, it should be tried in your son's case.
Co enzyme Q10 and antioxidants are proven to be effective. These include riboflavin, L-Creatine, L-Arginine, L-Carnitine, Vitamin E, Vitamin C and alpha lipoic acid.
IVIG has also not been proven in mitochondrial disease.
I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you have any follow up queries or if you require any additional information.
Wishing you good health,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello Dr. Thanks for ur valuable reply.
Mitochondrial cocktails including CoQ 10 were discontinued by NIMHANS as the test reports was negetive. Should I restart the medicine?
Is there any other treatment / medicine would u like to suggest for this D/O
pl tell side effects of stemcell therapy & where it can be done in XXXXXXX including Govt Hospital with approx cost.
Kindly suggest suitable treatment plan including in abroad for my ailing son
Mitochondrial cocktails including CoQ 10 were discontinued by NIMHANS as the test reports was negetive. Should I restart the medicine?
Is there any other treatment / medicine would u like to suggest for this D/O
pl tell side effects of stemcell therapy & where it can be done in XXXXXXX including Govt Hospital with approx cost.
Kindly suggest suitable treatment plan including in abroad for my ailing son
Brief Answer:
CoQ should be restarted.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.
Yes, you should restart the CoQ tablets and other antioxidants. I have seen several children improve with them.
Regarding stem cell therapy, it is not medically proven and is not an approved treatment. It is still in research stage. So, I would not recommend this for your son.
Regarding treatment abroad, there is nothing different. However, if you wish for second opinion, you may visit Mayo Clinic or Johns XXXXXXX in USA.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
CoQ should be restarted.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.
Yes, you should restart the CoQ tablets and other antioxidants. I have seen several children improve with them.
Regarding stem cell therapy, it is not medically proven and is not an approved treatment. It is still in research stage. So, I would not recommend this for your son.
Regarding treatment abroad, there is nothing different. However, if you wish for second opinion, you may visit Mayo Clinic or Johns XXXXXXX in USA.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Note: For detailed guidance on genetic screening consult a genetics specialist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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