Neurologists warn against stem cell therapies

Neurologists see expensive stem cell therapies critical

09/19/2013

Seriously ill people with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's or dementia can undergo expensive stem cell therapy in private clinics. Neurologists see little benefit in such offers and criticize the safety.

The German Society of Neurology (DGN) warns against these expensive and unchecked stem cell halves in neurological diseases. "Stem cells have great potential in the development of new therapies, but an application in humans is still strongly discouraged," said Professor Alexander Storch at the DGN Congress. There are many expensive treatments in private clinics and practices that promise more than they hold. „There is no stem cell therapy for neurological diseases yet. "

There are many studies in which stem cells were tested. However, clinical-scientific data that justifies an application are not available, Storch said. Significant evidence of effectiveness and safety is still missing. At home and abroad, however, different stem cell therapies in private clinic and -praxen against multiple sclerosis, Parkinson or dementia.

Stem cells have enormous potential
Between € 6,000 and € 30,000, patients have to pay for treatment with their own bone marrow cells. Follow-up shows, however, that they are not helped. "The hope lies in clinical research, not in expensive private treatments." Unproven treatments outside of clinical trials also contradict internationally agreed standards, according to the Dresden neurologist. Generally, stem cells are given tremendous potential by the experts. The use of cells in dementia, Parkinson's disease and paraplegia, gene therapies in childhood metabolic diseases or the development of patient-specific drugs, can contribute to recovery in the future. "But we just need time," said Storch. The research is just beginning and they are still a long way from healing. "We would be glad if we reach a stop or a slowdown." (Fr)

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