A synopsis to our latest study
Background: The prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has been increasing, with approximately 1 in 31 children aged 8 in the U.S. diagnosed with ASD. Traditional treatments focus on managing symptoms rather than addressing the underlying biological causes, such as neuroinflammation. This study explores the use of autologous BMC injections as a stem cell based therapy to target core physiological disruptions in children with ASD.
Methods: The study analyzed medical records of 128 children aged 2–18 years who underwent intrathecal injections of autologous BMC (also called stem cell therapy). The Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) was used to measure changes in symptoms before and after the intervention. The study adhered to ethical guidelines and was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine of Sigmund Freud University, Vienna (Austria).
Results:
- Significant improvements were observed in 85% of the autistic children treated. Total ATEC scores decreased with an average of 19 ATEC-points from before to after the stem cell therapy. Some autistic children experienced a decrease of up to 60 ATEC-points within a year.
- 5% of children transitioned to the “no symptoms” category, meaning they were no longer considered on the autism spectrum, and 25% of children in the “severe” shifted to “milder” symptom categories.
- Improvements were consistent across genders and age groups, with preschoolers showing slightly better communication improvements compared to older children.
- A subgroup analysis of patients who underwent three interventions showed continued improvement over time, with sustained benefits even 3–4 years after the first intervention.
- No serious adverse events were reported in 307 procedures, and minor side effects (e.g., nausea, vomiting, headache) resolved within a week.
Discussion: The study supports the safety and efficacy of intrathecal injections of autologous BMC for children with ASD, aligning with previous research on stem cell therapies. The
intervention appears to improve symptoms by targeting neuroinflammation, immune dysregulation, and promoting neuroregeneration.
Conclusion: Intrathecal injections of autologous BMC are safe and effective in reducing ASD symptoms, as evidenced by significant improvements in ATEC scores. The study suggests that stem cell based therapies may be a promising approach for treating ASD, especially when combined with psychological interventions.