Background:
Stem cell-based therapies have been developed for various CNS diseases
including perinatal hypoxic ischemic insults of the brain. Stem cells have the
capacity to proliferate in culture, ability to migrate and disseminate
following implantation within the adult CNS. Objective:
To study the impact of stem cell transplantation (STC) on psychomotor functions
in patients with cerebral palsy. Methods: Fifty two
Egyptian patients with cerebral palsy were divided into: group I (26 patients
who underwent stem cell transplantation) and group II (26 patients who did not
undergo stem cell transplantation). Both groups were assessed, initially and
after one year, by a group of clinical scales to assess motor, communication
and independence skills. Results: In
group I, using Boyd’s developmental progress scale revealed a statistically
highly significant improvement in motor, independence and communication skills
after SCT (P value < 0.01). Also, 100
points scale revealed a statistically significant improvement after SCT (P
value < 0.05). Conclusion: Autologous stem cell
transplantation could be a useful tool for the management of patients with
cerebral palsy as it may help in improvement of motor, independence and
communication skills. [Egypt J Neurol Psychiat
Neurosurg. 2012; 49(2): 117-122].
Key Words: Stem cell transplantation, cerebral palsy.
Correspondence to Gihan M. Ramzy, Department of Neurology, Cairo University;
Egypt.
Tel.: +201001732028. E-mail: gihanramzy @ hotmail.com.