Stroke Survivor Makes Remarkable Recovery Using His Own Stem Cells   

https://www.einpresswire.com/article/624998180/stroke-survivor-makes-remarkable-recovery-using-his-own-stem-cells

Neurologic Stem Cell Treatment Study (NEST) shows positive results in stroke; and other neurologic diseases.

UNITED STATES, March 30, 2023/EINPresswire.com/ -- Christopher Martin, a stroke survivor, has made a remarkable recovery following his participation in the Neurologic Stem Cell Treatment Study. The consequences of his hemorrhagic stroke in April 2016 were terrible. Martin reports: “ I pretty much went straight into atrophy and spasticity. I could hardly do anything with my right side. My shoulder was subluxed and I wore a Kafo orthosis and a shoulder brace. I hated every minute of my life”. 

Martin began to work out as much as he could in July 2019 but soon realized he needed something more to overcome the stroke. He decided to look at the latest stem cell treatment options from the Neurologic Stem Cell Treatment Study (NEST) on clinicaltrials.gov. He took part in the NEST program in October 2020. Within about 4 months he reported noticing major increases in muscle strength as the neurons damaged in the stroke began to recover and regenerate.

"I lost probably 90% of those neurons/ muscles from the stroke," Martin said. "I am now regenerating all those muscles back in 2.5-3 years. It's remarkable. Now I walk pretty normally. Everything is working better." 

Martin's story is a testament to the power of neurologic advances, synergistic with exercise, to promote stroke recovery. By harnessing the stem cell fraction in NEST, he was able to jump-start his recovery, and regain strength and is now much better able to walk and move.

His story is an inspiration to stroke survivors everywhere, showing that significant improvement may be possible using cutting-edge approaches in neurology. With the willingness to embrace new technology, patients suffering from different neurologic diseases may make remarkable progress toward normalcy.

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT:

The Neurologic Stem Cell Treatment Study ( NEST) NCT02795052 uses the patient's own stem cells for treatment. The patient is provided a short period of anesthesia and there is no pain. A small amount of the patient’s own bone marrow is taken, the stem cell fraction is isolated, and the stem cells are provided intravenously and intranasally, passing readily through the circulation and bypassing the blood-brain barrier to non-invasively enter the brain and central nervous system.

OTHER NEUROLOGICAL DISEASES NEST MAY HELP:

MD Stem Cells has treated a number of neurologic diseases in NEST. Eligible conditions as listed in ClinicalTrials.gov include Neurologic Disorders, Nervous System Diseases, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Neurological Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury, Cadasil, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, Cerebral Infarction, Cerebral Ischemia, Cerebral Stroke, Cerebral Hemorrhage, Parkinson, Multi-System Degeneration MSA, Multiple System Atrophy, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy PSP, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ALS, Neuropathy, Diabetic Neuropathies, Alzheimer Disease, Dementia, Frontotemporal Dementia, Lewy Body Disease, Cognitive Impairment, Lewy Body Variant of Alzheimer Disease.

KEY POINTS:

Stroke, as well as other neurological diseases, may now be addressed with the NEST procedure. We have had no complications and no adverse or serious adverse events in NEST. Contact MD Stem Cells directly for a case review. MD Stem Cells has the knowledge to carefully approach your neurologic condition and offer participation, if appropriate.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Receive information about participating in SCOTS2 by emailing Dr. Levy at stevenlevy@mdstemcells.com with your name, cell phone, email address, and a brief history of the disease. You may also use the Contact Us page on www.mdstemcells.com or call directly at 203-423-9494. MD Stem Cells has no grant support and is not a pharmaceutical company; this is a patient-sponsored study and the patients pay for both treatment and travel.

Steven Levy MD

CEO, MD Stem Cells

+1 203-423-9494

stevenlevy@mdstemcells.com

NAION Optic Nerve Stroke Treatment Improves VisionRP patient improves from legal blindness to 20/20 vision following MD Stem Cell Treatment- wants to repeat

https://www.einpresswire.com/article/618707937/naion-optic-nerve-stroke-treatment-improves-vision

NAION or Non-arteritic Ischemic Optic Neuropathy shows up to 83% improvement following MD Stem Cell Treatment

USA, February 24, 2023 /EINPresswire.com/ -- NAION or Non-arteritic Ischemic Optic Neuropathy is a type of stroke of the optic nerve that is not from inflammation. It can cause severe loss of vision. Patients may lose the ability to drive, see faces, walk easily, and read. It typically occurs in one eye initially, but the fellow eye may also develop NAION weeks, months, or even years later. The cause is not always clear, but risk factors include the shape of the nerve or cup, vascular disease, blood pressure issues, sleep apnea, and certain medications including Sildenafil (ED medication) .

WHAT'S NEW:

The stem cell approach pioneered by MD Stem Cells has shown positive results helping patients suffering from a number of eye and neurologic diseases. In one of their initial scientific papers, MD Stem Cells showed that patients with NAION could benefit from the treatment provided in the Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study. That paper, titled: Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study: bone marrow-derived stem cells in the Treatment of non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) has been cited multiple times in support of other published scientific papers and helped move stem cell research forward in neurologic applications.

ACTUAL RESULTS:

The results reported were all statistically significant- the gold standard in medicine for confirming results. 80% of patients had improvement in binocular vision with 20% remaining stable. 73.6% of eyes gained vision with 15.9% remaining stable. The average improvement (which included eyes that were stable) was 22.74% with the maximum being 83.3%. Duration of NAION ranged from almost 10 yrs to 35 years- so how long someone had lost vision did not appear to affect results.

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT:

The Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study II ( SCOTS2) uses the patient's own stem cells for treatment. The patient is provided a short period of anesthesia and there is no pain. They take a small amount of the patient’s own bone marrow, isolate the stem cells, and provide 2 ocular injections followed by intravenous. 

OTHER EYE DISEASES THIS CAN HELP:

MD Stem Cells has treated a number of eye diseases with vision benefits. Retinal conditions such as dry AMD (macular degeneration), Retinitis Pigmentosa, Usher, Stargardt, Cone-Rod, Rod-Cone, Cone dystrophies, Bests dystrophy, different retinal problems including retinopathy, injury, inflammation, POHS, choroiditis, some diabetic retinopathies, and certain post Retinal Detachment vision loss. A number of optic nerve conditions have also responded including Glaucoma, LHON, Dominant Optic Atrophy, Optic neuropathies, and many other optic nerve problems.

KEY POINTS:

NAION can now be treated with the SCOTS2 procedure with a high, statistically significant chance of improvement. Check with your eye doctor or contact MD Stem Cells directly for a case review. MD Stem Cells has vast experience with eye disease and has published multiple medical and scientific papers. This is reassuring to patients and healthcare providers seeking treatment options. MD Stem Cells has the knowledge to carefully treat your retinal or optic nerve condition, if appropriate, leading to optimal results.

I WANT MORE INFORMATION:

Receive information about participating in SCOTS2 by emailing Dr. Levy at stevenlevy@mdstemcells.com with your name, cell phone, email address, and a brief history of the disease. You may also use the Contact Us page on www.mdstemcells.com or call directly at 203-423-9494. MD Stem Cells has no grant support and is not a pharmaceutical company; this is a patient-sponsored study and the patients pay for both treatment and travel.

Steven Levy MD

MD Stem Cells

+1 203-423-9494

stevenlevy@mdstemcells.com

New Stargardt Treatments- MD Stem Cells SCOTS2 or ALK-001 Vitamin A 

https://www.einpresswire.com/article/600400664/new-stargardt-treatments-md-stem-cells-scots2-or-alk-001-vitamin-a

New treatments for Stargardt Macular Dystrophy compared

https://www.einpresswire.com

USA, November 10, 2022 /EINPresswire.com - Stargardt Disease (SGTD) is a hereditary retinal disease caused by mutations of the ABCA4 gene, impairing processing of Vitamin A. Buildup of these byproducts is thought to be the cause of retinal cell damage and blindness.

The Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study II or SCOTS2 has achieved notable success in treating many eye diseases including Stargardt. Developed by MD Stem Cells, the procedure uses the patient’s own Bone Marrow Stem Cells (BMSC) to treat retinal and optic nerve diseases. BMSC has been shown to protect other cells and help block cell death in those who are stressed. BMSCs have also been shown to turn into certain retinal cells.

WHAT’S NEW:

MD Stem Cells treated Stargardts patients in SCOTS. A high percentage had improved binocular vision or their vision stayed stable in follow-up. Access their published paper on Stargardt Disease to understand these very positive results. A separate company modified Vitamin A into a drug called ALK-001. They treated a group of patients with ALK-001 once a day for 2 years to see if this would help avoid spots in the retina called atrophy.

ACTUAL RESULTS:

In SCOTS, the endpoint (what was being measured) was the patient’s vision or visual acuity. 94.1% of patients showed improved or stable vision in both eyes in the one-year follow-up period. A total of 85.3% of treated eyes showed benefit with 61.8% showing visual improvement and 23.5% remaining stable in the follow-up. The results were highly statistically significant- the gold standard in medicine that shows the procedure was responsible for the benefits. There were no adverse events or complications with the treatment.

In the ALK-001 study, researchers used the change in atrophy and not vision as an endpoint. ALK-001 did not completely stop the atrophy but did slow it by 21% over the 2-year study, or .35 mm2 in a year (size similar to a small zero-in % sign). Vision did not change.

HOW DO THE TREATMENTS COMPARE:

The Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study II ( SCOTS2) uses the patient's own stem cells for treatment. A small portion of the patient’s bone marrow is taken, they separate the active stem cell population and treat the patient with 2 ocular injections followed by intravenous- all under a short period of anesthesia- so no pain. There is strong and statistically significant evidence that the treatment can improve visual acuity or halt loss. SCOTS2 is a procedure. All patients accepted receive treatment- there is no sham or placebo group.

ALK-001 is a new drug. The drug is not yet approved by the FDA and is only available in clinical studies. In the report, there was a placebo (a pill without medication) used on some of the patients who enrolled. It is common for drug studies to have placebo groups where patients and doctors do not know who is receiving the active drug.

RESULTS IN OTHER EYE DISEASES:

SCOTS2 treats a number of different retina and optic nerve diseases. In addition to Stargardt, eye diseases showing benefit included AMD (macular degeneration), Retinitis Pigmentosa, Usher, Cone-Rod, Rod-Cone, Cone dystrophy, Bests dystrophy, non-perfusion retinopathy, retinal injury, retinal inflammation such as POHS or choroiditis, certain diabetic retinopathies, and certain post Retinal Detachment vision loss. A number of optic nerve conditions have also responded including Glaucoma, NAION, LHON, ADOA, optic nerve ischemia/ neuropathy/ optic neuritis/optic atrophy/ and optic nerve compression. To our knowledge, ALK-001 is only being studied for Stargardt Disease at this time.

TAKE HOME POINTS:

MD Stem Cells has treated many patients with a variety of eye diseases. It has published multiple medical and scientific papers. Patients and health care providers should feel reassured that the doctors associated with MD Stem Cells have the knowledge and experience to assess, and if deemed appropriate, carefully treat your retinal or optic nerve condition. All patients receive treatment- there is no placebo or sham treatment.

New drugs are highly important but may take years of careful clinical research to finally be approved. This process may require patients to take a drug for long periods- some may be given a placebo.

I WANT MORE INFORMATION:

Receive information about participating in SCOTS2 by emailing Dr. Levy at stevenlevy@mdstemcells.com with your name, cell phone, email address, and a brief history of the disease. You may also use the Contact Us page on www.mdstemcells.com or call directly at 203-423-9494. MD Stem Cells has no grant support and is not a pharmaceutical company; this is a patient-sponsored study and the patients pay for both treatment and travel.

Steven Levy MD

MD Stem Cells

+1 203-423-9494

stevenlevy@mdstemcells.com

Visit us on social media:

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Stargardt Disease Treatment Significantly Improves Vision

https://www.einpresswire.com/article/598627353/stargardt-disease-treatment-significantly-improves-vision

94.1% of patients with Stargardt Retinal Disease showed benefit following MD Stem Cell Treatment

USA, October 30, 2022 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Stargardt Disease (STGD) is one of the more common inherited retinal diseases, typically causing loss of vision, blank spots, and problems with color vision. Also called Stargardt Macular Dystrophy, it is typically from a mutation in the ABC4 gene. Stargardt often presents in childhood or adolescence and causes loss of vision over time- leading to legal blindness. The natural course of the disease is to worsen until vision is very poor.

WHAT’S NEW:

MD Stem Cells has developed a cellular medicine approach to treat Stargardt and other retinal and optic nerve diseases. 94.1% of patients with Stargardt treated with their approach had benefits. Their published paper: Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study (SCOTS): Bone Marrow-Derived Stem Cells in the Treatment of Stargardt Disease has almost 4000 views of the abstract and key points.

ACTUAL RESULTS:

Of Stargardt patients treated, 94.1% showed improved or stable vision in the follow-up period; 76.5% had visual acuity improvement in one or both eyes, and 17.6% stabilized their vision in the follow-up period. Both eyes were treated in the study: a total of 85.3% of treated eyes showed benefit with 61.8% showing visual improvement and 23.5% remaining stable in the follow-up period. The results were highly statistically significant- the gold standard in medicine that shows the procedure was responsible for the benefits. There were no adverse events or complications with the treatment.

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT:

The Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study II ( SCOTS2) uses the patient's own stem cells for treatment. The patient is sedated and there is no pain. They harvest a small portion of the patient’s bone marrow, separate the active stem cell population, and treat the patient with 2 ocular injections followed by intravenous- all under a short period of anesthesia.

OTHER EYE DISEASES THIS CAN HELP:

MD Stem Cells has treated a number of eye diseases and shown improvement. In addition to Stargardt, these include AMD (macular degeneration), Retinitis Pigmentosa, Usher, Cone-Rod, Rod-Cone, Cone dystrophy, Bests dystrophy, non-perfusion retinopathy, retinal injury, retinal inflammation such as POHS or choroiditis, certain diabetic retinopathies, and certain post Retinal Detachment vision loss. A number of optic nerve conditions have also responded including Glaucoma, NAION, LHON, ADOA, optic nerve ischemia/ neuropathy/ optic neuritis/optic atrophy/ and optic nerve compression.

KEY POINTS:

MD Stem Cells has vast experience with eye disease and has published multiple medical and scientific papers. This is reassuring to patients and healthcare providers seeking treatment options. MD Stem Cells has the knowledge to carefully treat your retinal or optic nerve condition, if appropriate, leading to optimal results.

I WANT MORE INFORMATION:

Receive information about participating in SCOTS2 by emailing Dr. Levy at stevenlevy@mdstemcells.com with your name, cell phone, email address, and a brief history of the disease. You may also use the Contact Us page on www.mdstemcells.com or call directly at 203-423-9494. MD Stem Cells has no grant support and is not a pharmaceutical company; this is a patient-sponsored study and the patients pay for both treatment and travel.

Steven Levy

MD Stem Cells

+1 203-423-9494

stevenlevy@mdstemcells.com

Visit us on social media:

Facebook

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Vision Improves with MD Stem Cells Treatment

https://www.einpresswire.com/article/592454310/age-related-macular-degeneration-amd-vision-improves-with-md-stem-cells-treatment

MD Stem Cells treats Dry AMD -shows vision recovery & improvement now possible

www.einpresswire.com

USA, September 23, 2022 /EINPresswire.com - Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), a disease of the retina, can lead to permanent vision loss and blindness. An astounding 11 million people currently have AMD in the United States and it is expected to impact over 280 million people worldwide in the next 20 years.

WHAT JUST HAPPENED:

A new autologous stem cell approach, developed by MD Stem Cells, has now been shown to be highly effective for patients with dry AMD. Using the patient's own stem cells in a prescribed fashion, the MD Stem Cells treatment demonstrated a remarkable benefit to patients, with 63% of treated eyes showing significant improvement in vision and the remaining 34% of treated eyes showing vision stability. In total, a true benefit to 97% of dry AMD eyes. Results were found to be statistically significant- the gold standard for confirming these results are accurate and this specific treatment is responsible for the benefit reported. Results have been published in the Medicines Journal- a highly regarded international medical journal. 

The article is titled "Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study (SCOTS): Bone Marrow-Derived Stem Cells in the Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration"

WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT:

What makes the MD Stem Cells treatment particularly important is that no medication has previously been found to treat dry AMD. Taking a formulation of certain vitamins and minerals called AREDS2 may reduce the risk of bleeding or wet AMD, but only during the intermediate form of dry AMD. Unfortunately, AREDS2, vitamins, or diet have not been shown to improve or stabilize patient vision. The MD Stem Cell SCOTS treatment is the first approach to have proven benefit to vision.

DETAILS OF RESULTS:

The key points of the MD Stem Cell report were that 63% of dry AMD eyes treated and monitored for at least one year had vision improvement. Improvements in visual acuity averaged 27.6% and ranged up to 44.6% on a scientific vision scale called LogMAR. An additional 34% of eyes remained stable for the follow-up period- meaning no additional vision loss was found in these eyes that had been losing vision previously. The findings were highly statistically significant with p < 0.001, meaning that the results overwhelmingly met the medical standard of certainty that this specific stem cell treatment technology was responsible for the improvements seen.

THE TREATMENT:

The Stem Cell Treatment Ophthalmology Study II - abbreviated SCOTS2, uses the patient’s own bone marrow stem cells (BMSC) placed in two specific areas of the orbit, followed by intravenous. The study is Institutional Board Approved and National Institutes of Health registered on www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT 03011541. All patients receive active stem cell treatment; there is no placebo or sham.

OTHER EYE DISEASES THIS CAN HELP:

The physicians involved with MD Stem Cells now have 14 world-class medical and scientific publications reporting their positive results in a number of different retinal and optic nerve diseases. Their experiences encompass other additional eye conditions, many of which have shown improvement. These include other types of retinal diseases such as Stargardt, Retinitis Pigmentosa, Usher, Stargardts, Cone-Rod, Rod-Cone, Cone dystrophy, Bests dystrophy, non-perfusion retinopathy, retinal injury, retinal inflammation such as POHS or choroiditis, certain diabetic retinopathies, and certain post Retinal Detachment vision loss. A number of optic nerve conditions have also responded including Glaucoma, NAION, LHON, ADOA, optic nerve ischemia/ neuropathy/ optic neuritis/optic atrophy/ and optic nerve compression. This is vastly more than any other stem cell research group working with eye disease and should be reassuring to patients and health care providers seeking treatment options.

WHAT TO REMEMBER:

The statistics and confirmation of benefit only apply to MD Stem Cells specific approaches to stem cell treatment of dry AMD.

Dr. Levy concludes: "Our research has shown that patients with dry AMD accepted and choosing to participate in the SCOTS2 have a significant likelihood of either improving or stabilizing their vision. MD Stem Cells has worked to achieve the safest, most effective approach to dry AMD- with gratifying success.”

HOW TO GET MORE INFORMATION:

Patients may best receive information about participating in SCOTS2 by emailing Dr. Levy at stevenlevy@mdstemcells.com with their name, cell phone, email address, and a brief history of their disease. They may also use the Contact Us page on www.mdstemcells.com or reach him at 203-423-9494. The Stem Cell Ophthalmology Study 2 is enrolling patients with different retina and optic nerve diseases.

Treatment is available in Florida, USA, and Dubai, UAE.

MD Stem Cells has no grant support and is not a pharmaceutical company; this is a patient-sponsored study and the patients pay for both treatment and travel.

Steven Levy

MD Stem Cells

+1 203-423-9494

New treatment shows vision benefit in Age Related Macular Degeneration

https://www.einpresswire.com/article/514861486/new-treatment-shows-vision-benefit-in-age-related-macular-degeneration

MD Stem Cells reports dry AMD results from their clinical study: 63% of eyes improved vision and an additional 34% remained stable. No complications occurred.

WESTPORT, CT, US, April 17, 2020 /EINPresswire.com - Age-Related Macular Degeneration- specifically dry AMD- will affect almost 200 million people worldwide in 2020. An approach, pioneered by MD Stem Cells, using bone marrow stem cells from the actual patient has now shown visual improvement for 63% of dry AMD eyes and stability in another 34%, demonstrating statistical significance in helping patients with this blinding disease. Results were recently published in the Medicines Journal- a highly regarded international medical journal. Article titled: Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study (SCOTS): Bone Marrow-Derived Stem Cells in the Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

There is no FDA-approved medication for treating dry AMD. Certain vitamins may reduce the risk of bleeding or wet AMD. But vitamins do not appear to stop the relentless loss of retinal cells and vision called geographic atrophy (GA) from AMD.

The highlight of the MD Stem Cell report was that 63% of dry AMD eyes treated and followed had vision improvement. This ranged from 2.5% to 44.6% with an average of 27.6% on a scientific vision scale called LogMAR. An additional 34% of eyes remained stable for the follow-up period- important because many of the eyes had previously been losing vision. The findings were highly statistically significant with p < 0.001 meaning that the results overwhelmingly met that medical standard and confirmed that the BMSC treatment was responsible for the improvements seen.

The Stem Cell Treatment Ophthalmology Study- both SCOTS and SCOTS2- has been treating many different eye diseases since 2013 using the patient’s own bone marrow stem cells (BMSC) injected in the orbit around the eye. The study is Institutional Board Approved and National Institutes of Health registered on www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT 03011541. The physicians involved with MD Stem Cells now have 14 world-class medical and scientific publications primarily reporting their clinical results in ophthalmology. This is vastly more than any other stem cell research group working with eye disease and should be reassuring to patients and health care providers seeking treatment options. Different optic nerve diseases, NAION, LHON, DOA, optic atrophy; as well as several retinal diseases including Retinitis Pigmentosa, Ushers and now AMD have all shown benefits. MD Stem Cells has worked to achieve the safest, most effective approach to dry AMD using BMSC - with gratifying success.

“Following multiple patient treatments and over a dozen peer-reviewed papers, our studies have shown that a patient’s own bone marrow stem cells (BMSC) can have positive effects on different retinal and optic nerve diseases” explains Dr. Levy, CEO and Chief Science Officer for MD Stem Cells. “As we have continued the study, other researchers have published numerous papers revealing how this may be occurring: release of exosomes with neurotrophic factors helping neurons and photoreceptors, transfer of cytoplasmic structures such as mitochondria to injured cells, and transdifferentiation of BMSC into neurons.”

Dr. Levy concludes: “The research has shown that patients with dry AMD choosing to participate in the SCOTS 2 may have a significant likelihood of either improving or stabilizing their vision. ”

Patients may receive information about SCOTS 2 by emailing stevenlevy@mdstemcells.com, using the Contact Us page on www.mdstemcells.com, or calling 203-423-9494. The Stem Cell Ophthalmology Study 2 is enrolling patients with different retina and optic nerve diseases. MD Stem Cells has no grant support and is not a pharmaceutical company; these are patient-sponsored studies and the patients pay for both treatment and travel.

Steven Levy MD

MD Stem Cells

+1 203-423-9494

SCOTS Eye Stem Cell Study Exceeds Research Goals

https://www.einpresswire.com/article/375935261/scots-eye-stem-cell-study-exceeds-research-goals

Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study Publications Benefiting Stem Cell Research

WESTPORT, CT, USA, April 14, 2017 /EINPresswire.com - The Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study or SCOTS has exceeded its research contribution goals as reported in Research Gate- the premier professional network for scientists and researchers. Currently, Research Gate members have read articles provided by the SCOTS clinicians almost 300 times. These are the same articles published in peer-reviewed scientific-medical journals by the SCOTS researchers. The members reviewing SCOTS articles typically do basic and clinical research in the stem cell arena, lending their support for the SCOTS stem cell treatment protocols used in treating eye patients.

There have been an additional 250+ full profile viewings by scientific colleagues in Research Gate, demonstrating increasing interest in the stem cell treatment studies sponsored by MD Stem Cells. These include the original Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study (SCOTS) National Clinical Trial Number 01920867, the follow-up Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study II (SCOTS2) National Clinical Trial Number 03011541 and the new Neurology Stem Cell Treatment study (NEST) National Clinical Trial Number 02795052. The SCOTS2 study is actively recruiting new patients and treating optic nerve and retinal diseases. The NEST study is actively recruiting and treating a variety of neurologic diseases including Parkinson’s disease (PD), Stroke (CVA), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Peripheral Neuropathy, and other neurologic diseases.

SCOTS, SCOTS2, and NEST all use bone marrow stem cells (BMSC) from the patient themselves which has an exceptional safety record. They have never used adipose or fat stem cells which can be harmful to patients with eye and neurologic conditions.

“We are extremely pleased with our journal article statistics which have strongly exceeded our goals", indicated Dr. Steven Levy, the registered SCOTS study director with Research Gate. “Our articles have likely been read and reviewed many thousands of times directly from the journals where we have published. But Research Gate tracks their membership journal article readings. To be this well received within the Research Gate community by many of the top researchers in the stem cell field is very exciting and substantiates that our work is held in high regard.”

In addition to the strong uptake of SCOTS articles within Research Gate, Dr. Levy also points out that the SCOTS journal articles have been cited by other registered Research Gate scientists in their own independent journal articles multiple times. “This is testimony of the value and importance of the research contributions SCOTS is making to the stem cell field,” said Dr. Levy. Citing an article means listing it in your submitted paper to support the premise of your own work or conclusions. “To be a trusted citation in other stem cell and scientific research publications speaks to the significance and accuracy of the studies we are doing.”

The SCOTS research physicians continue to submit articles for publication, sharing their results and newly developed insights regarding how bone marrow-derived stem cells work and may improve vision. Dr. Jeffrey Weiss, Principal Investigator and stem cell surgeon for the SCOTS and NEST studies, remarks: “We have always approached stem cell work with the following priorities: strive to improve patients with otherwise incurable or progressive disease; offer treatment to patients who have minimal risk factors and potential for improvement using our protocols providing BMSC; report our results to advance understanding in the stem cell field, validate our treatment approaches and help other researchers formulate their own basic and clinical research studies. We believe we are outpacing all these goals.”

MD Stem Cells is Sponsor of the Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study II and the Neurologic Stem Cell Treatment Study. They are a trusted and valued source of the latest information regarding clinically available adult stem cell treatments for patients. Patients interested in treatment in SCOTS2 or NEST may contact MD Stem Cells by email - info@mdstemcells.com - by phone at 203-423-9494 or by visiting the website www.mdstemcells.com and using the Contact Us page. Please follow us on Twitter @mdstemcells.com for updates about stem cell treatments.

Steven Levy

MD Stem Cells

203-423-9494

Principal Investigator of the Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study (SCOTS) meets with Karolinska researchers

https://www.einpresswire.com/article/372999548/principal-investigator-of-the-stem-cell-ophthalmology-treatment-study-scots-meets-with-karolinska-researchers

Physicians from the seat of Nobel Prize seek collaboration with SCOTS and MD Stem Cells

www.einpresswire.com

WESTPORT, CT, USA, March 27, 2017 /EINPresswire.com- The Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study II (SCOTS 2) is the largest stem cell study in the world exploring the treatment of eye disease. It utilizes autologous (from the patients themselves) bone marrow-derived stem cells to treat various optic nerve and retinal diseases. Dr. Jeffrey Weiss MD is Principal Investigator and the stem cell surgeon for the study. A world-famous ophthalmologist and retinal surgeon, Dr. Weiss holds a Fellowship in Ophthalmologic Bioengineering and Retina-Vitreous from Harvard University and is a Fellow in Surgery from Harvard Medical School. MD Stem Cells is the Sponsor of the study and Dr. Steven Levy is the Study Director coordinating patient applications and providing information on the study.

Dr. Weiss has years of experience treating retinal and ophthalmologic patients and teaching other ophthalmologists both in the US and abroad. He was Chief of the Vitreoretinal Service at the famous Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston. He has received research awards from the Lions Club and Alcon Pharmaceuticals, as well as acting as a consultant to various eye companies. He has been an invited lecturer in many countries. Dr. Weiss knows the importance of collaboration to advance eye treatments and improve care for patients.

With this background in mind, he was recently invited to meet with a stem cell research group visiting from the Karolinska Institutet at Nova Southeastern University. The Karolinska Institutet, located in Stockholm, Sweden, is one of the largest and most prestigious medical universities in the world. The Nobel Assembly at the institute meets each year to award the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. The Karolinska Institutet has established a collaboration with the Cell Therapy Institute at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) to foster stem cell research and advance patient treatment with cellular therapy. Recently Dr. Weiss met with Dr. Richard Jove PhD, Director of the NSU Cell Therapy Institute at the Center for Collaborative Research, and lectured about the Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Studies to an audience that included Professor and Dr. Outti Hovatta MD PhD from the Karolinska Institutet. Dr. Hovatta has vast experience in infertility and the complex maturation of egg follicles in ovarian tissue. More recently she has been conducting research in differentiating stem cells into retinal pigment epithelial cells for the treatment of macular degeneration.

The meetings were successful and Nova Southeastern University indicates it is looking forward to opportunities of mutual benefit with MD Stem Cells. In reciprocation, Dr. Weiss and Dr. Levy hope that new collaborations will advance future stem cell developments for eye disease and lead to additional advances in ocular regeneration.

MD Stem Cells is a Sponsor of the Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study II and a trusted and valued source of the latest information regarding clinically available adult stem cell treatments for patients. Patients interested in treatment for SCOTS 2 may contact MD Stem Cells by email - info@mdstemcells.com - by phone at 203-423-9494 or by visiting the website www.mdstemcells.com and using the Contact Us page. Please follow us on Twitter @mdstemcells.com for updates about stem cell treatments.

Steven Levy MD

MD Stem Cells

203-423-9494

 Patient Blind from Hereditary Eye Disease Regains Sight with Stem Cells

https://www.einpresswire.com/article/331181287/patient-blind-from-hereditary-eye-disease-regains-sight-with-stem-cells

MD Stem Cells and Al-Zahra Hospital in Dubai help Middle Eastern patients gain vision using Bone Marrow Fraction Treatment-scheduling for September 2016

DUBAI, UAE, June 15, 2016 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Blindness from hereditary retinal conditions is all too common. Patients with Retinitis Pigmentosa, Cone Dystrophy, Cone-Rod Dystrophy, Stargardts, and other conditions are often told by their eye doctors that no treatment is available. Now at Al-Zahra Hospital in Dubai, and in conjunction with the doctors at MD Stem Cells, patients are receiving the latest treatment that can potentially reverse some of their blindness and improve their lives.

“Bone Marrow Fraction Treatment or BMFT uses the patient’s own bone marrow to treat many different retinal and optic nerve diseases at the Al-Zahra hospital in Dubai,” notes Dr. Jeffrey Weiss, the United States Retinal Ophthalmologist and Stem Cell Surgeon who is also on staff at Al-Zahra Hospital. The BMFT procedure has been reviewed and approved by the Dubai Health Authority. This is the same treatment that is being provided in the United States under the Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study (SCOTS) supervised by MD Stem Cells since 2013 and which has treated over 600 eyes.

Recently a patient in the United States with a hereditary retinal dystrophy had very poor vision- only able to see her hand move in front of her face (Hand Motion vision), nothing on the eye chart, and almost no color vision. She had been unable to see people’s faces or anything meaningful for many years. She was treated with the BMFT procedure in SCOTS. Within several days she was able to see her daughter’s face, the color of flowers, and cars on the street far away. Her vision improved from Hand Motion to 20/150 or 6/45 within a few weeks. Other patients with retinal and optic nerve problems including different Macular degeneration and Optic Neuropathies have seen similar improvements in their vision, although predicting if there will be an improvement for an individual patient is not yet possible.

Soon after her treatment she became aware that her Stem Cell Surgeon, Dr. Jeffrey Weiss, was going back to Dubai to treat patients including several children. She wrote to MD Stem Cells and to Dr. Weiss: “I prayed for you several times this week as you were out of the country performing surgeries on some children who are blind. I am sure that you made an amazing difference in their lives as you did mine.”

Dr. Weiss notes: “We have seen meaningful improvements in patients with otherwise intractable vision loss following this treatment. Conditions eligible for treatment include retinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), myopic macular degeneration, hereditary retinopathies such as Retinitis Pigmentosa, Cone Dystrophy, Stargardts, as well as selected inflammatory, vascular, and traumatic conditions. Optic nerve diseases considered eligible include glaucoma, ischemic optic neuropathy, optic atrophy, optic neuritis, Lebers, NMO or Devic’s syndrome, and some trauma.”

Patients interested in scheduling treatment in Dubai or local physicians may contact MD Stem Cells by email - info@mdstemcells.com, by phone at (001) 203-423-9494, or by visiting the website www.mdstemcells.com and using the Contact Us page. The next treatments at Al-Zahra Hospital are being scheduled for September 4 and 5, 2016. Patients must seek an evaluation as early as possible so that the treatment can be arranged ahead of time. They may also contact Jenny Anil, Clinical Affairs Manager at Al-Zahra Hospital, at jenny.anil@zahd.ae for a referral.

(001) 203-423-9494

MD Stem Cells

Dubai, UAE

Macular Degeneration successfully treated in Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study

https://www.einpresswire.com/article/311881825/macular-degeneration-successfully-treated-in-stem-cell-ophthalmology-treatment-study

Legally blind patient achieves major improvement in vision after stem cell treatment in SCOTS

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, USQ, February 16, 2016 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Doug Oliver had never seen his wife clearly because of a form of macular degeneration called Autosomal Dominant Drusen which had started to damage his vision when he was only 30 years old. Now in his early 50’s, it had robbed him of his ability to drive and live independently as well as his ability to see peoples’ faces.

As Oliver’s wife Ann related, “It broke my heart that he was not able to see his own grandchildren. You’re trying to watch them grow up and he was able to see less and less.”

When examined at the University of Vanderbilt in 2014, his vision had deteriorated to 20/400 in the right eye and 20/2000 in the left. The macula or central part of his retina showed extensive changes from the abnormal drusen – a yellow–white material that was relentlessly being deposited in his retina.

Dr.Jeffrey Weiss, Principal Investigator for the Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study or SCOTS, explains: “The retina lies on the back of the eye and contains the photoreceptors that sense light, sending signals through the optic nerve to the brain for vision. When there are drusen deposits under these special cells in the layer known as the RPE or Retinal Pigment Epithelium, the photoreceptors don’t receive proper support, don’t function normally, and eventually die. The central vision deteriorates as a result.”

The Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study or SCOTS is a clinical study being conducted in Florida. The study uses the patient’s own stem cells obtained under anesthesia from the bone marrow. These are injected around and potentially in the eye depending on the disease and degree of visual loss. Both retina and optic nerve conditions are being treated. So far over 250 patients with a number of different eye diseases have participated.

After having his eye exam evaluated and being enrolled in SCOTS, Doug Oliver underwent stem cell injections in his right eye and surgical placement of the stem cells beneath the retina of his worse left eye. On an early follow-up visit at the Vanderbilt Eye Institute, there was a remarkable improvement in vision to the 20/50 range in the right eye and 20/40 range in the left eye.

“A month after surgery I was seeing about 20/40 in both eyes. I could count the leaves on trees, see the crisp sparkle of light reflecting from cars in a parking lot, read road signs, and see faces”, according to Oliver. “My results have been verified by my own retinal specialist. I’m now a believer!” The remarkable changes were reported on ABC Television.

Along with improvements in central vision, there was a clearing of the Amsler grid that he routinely checked for distortion and significant improvements in peripheral vision. His retinal ophthalmologist at the Vanderbilt Eye Institute has noted thickening of the retina on OCT in his most recent visit.

SCOTS is a patient-funded clinical trial and costs are involved which insurance does not cover because the procedure is investigational. Doug Oliver was able to raise the required amount through a very successful GoFundMe campaign which included contributions from people in his local area. He eventually held a party for all the donors to celebrate his improvement in vision.

Dr.Steven Levy, Study Director of SCOTS, discusses: “While patients do not have to be legally blind to enroll in SCOTS, Mr. Oliver was well into that category with the pre-treatment vision of 20/400 and 20/2000 or Counting Fingers. To observe an extremely rapid increase in visual acuity within the first month following treatment in SCOTS was notable. Now at 6 months following SCOTS, Mr. Oliver has sent us a report showing he has improved further to the 20/30 and 20/40 visual acuity range which is legal for driving. This large and rapid visual improvement in a macular degeneration patient is very encouraging.”

Conditions eligible for treatment include retinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), myopic macular degeneration, hereditary retinopathies such as Retinitis Pigmentosa, Cone Dystrophy, Stargardts, as well as selected inflammatory, vascular, and traumatic conditions. Optic nerve diseases considered eligible include glaucoma, ischemic optic neuropathy, optic atrophy, optic neuritis, hereditary optic neuropathies, Lebers, NMO, or Devic’s syndrome, and some trauma.

SCOTS is registered with the National Institutes of Health and the approach is listed on the website

www.clinicaltrials.gov with identifier NCT01920867. The Principal Investigator who performs the procedure is Dr. Jeffrey Weiss, an experienced retina surgeon and ophthalmologist in Margate, Florida.

MD Stem Cells is a trusted and valued source of the latest information regarding clinically available adult stem cell treatments for patients. MD Stem Cells is the Collaborator and Dr. Levy is the Study Director for the SCOTS Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study. Patients interested in treatment may contact MD Stem Cells by email, by phone at 203-423-9494, or by visiting the website www.mdstemcells.com and using the Contact Us page. Please follow us on Twitter @mdstemcells.com for updates about stem cell treatments.

Steven Levy MD

MD Stem Cells

203-423-9494