BGS Global Hospitals has successfully used stem cells for a patient with traumatic brain injury. The stem cells were transplanted to the brain of the patient through a burr hole with navigation assisted surgery.

The surgery was performed by a team of neurosurgeons headed by Dr N K Venkataramana, chief neurosurgeon and vice-chairman, BGS Global Hospitals.

The 27-year-old patient is improving from a condition of altered sensorium, severe cognitive dysfunction and no movement of limbs. She is reporting full memory gain, communicating with movement of the limbs. The patient had been brought unconscious to BGS Global Hospitals with severe traumatic brain injury after a road accident. On first examination, doctors gave her only a 20 per cent chance of survival. Being a young girl with severe disability and not showing any improvement with all available treatment modalities, the possibility of stem cell therapy was considered.

Diffuse axonal injury is a severe head injury resulting in diffuse damage and disruption of connections between the functional areas in the brain. The patient remains in an unconscious state for variable period of time without any exhibition of useful brain functions. This is otherwise known as vegetative state requiring to be assisted in their daily activities including the feeding and personal hygiene. Though several drugs have been tried to promote neurological recovery none of them have proven to be effective enough to make them fully functional. Several methods of stimulation and rehabilitation have also been tried in the past with no significant benefit.

"This successful stem cell transfusion has shown that there is a possibility of reactivating brain cells. To our knowledge such attempts were made only in China. This is the first such effort in India and the second country in the world to use this therapy," stated Venkataramana.

We are working to conduct a pilot study at BGS Global to understand more on the treatment of head injuries with stem cells. With experience in isolating and using these cells to reactivate nerve cells in many neurodegenerative disorders including spinal cord injury, we have been able to establish safety standards for stem cell transplants into the brain, he added.

According to Dr Satish Totey, chief scientific officer, Stempeutics Research Pvt. Ltd efforts are on to develop stem cells as a product which can be readily available to treat diseases.

Mesenchymal stemcells derived from the bone marrow are multi potential, self renewing cells capable of transforming into brain cells. Bone marrow derived Mesenchymal stem cells were transplanted on both sides of the brain on 18th March 2009 by a surgery.

The stem cells were prepared at Stempeutics Research. The other supportive measures were continued and she was discharged in early April 2009. A month after the transplantation she started showing rapid improvement in her brain functions. She became conscious, started verbalizing and was able to communicate well with the parents, able to recognize family and friends, started moving the hands and legs. On detailed examination she is found to be conscious, speech is improving, able to communicate with simple sentences. Her memory has recovered completely, eye movements are full and vision is normal. But she has developed stiffness of several joints due to prolonged stay in the bed. Presently she is on intense physiotherapy and mobilization to make her physically active, said Dr Venkataramana.