Stem cell therapy for multiple sclerosis: Explanation and safety

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. It causes the body’s immune system to attack the different parts of the central nervous system such as the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerve. While there is no cure for MS, stem cell therapy can help improve a person’s symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease. Stem cell therapy is an experimental treatment that people can access through clinical trials.

MS causes the body to direct an immune responseTrusted Source to its own central nervous system.

This immune response damages the myelin, which is the fatty substance that surrounds the nerve fibers. It also damages the nerve fibers themselves and the cells that make myelin.

Symptoms of MS can vary in severity. Some people can have mild symptoms and others can have severe symptoms that can be debilitating.

There is a range of treatment options that can help reduce symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. One such treatment is stem cell therapy. This article will cover what stem cell therapy is, why it is important for people with MS, and whether it is safe and effective.

What are stem cells? Why are they important?