Autism-Open Access
Open Access

Abstract

Intrathecal Autologous Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cell Transplantation in a Case of Adult Autism

Alok Sharma, Nandini Gokulchandran, Hemangi Sane, Pooja Kulkarni, Nancy Thomas, Amruta Paranjape and Prerna Badhe

Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder with a worldwide prevalence of 1 in 88. With greater understanding of mechanism of action of cellular therapy it is now possible to address the pathogenesis of autism. Recent findings of cellular therapy offering immunomodulatory, angigogenetic and paracrine effects make it a lucrative option for treatment of autism. We administered a 33 year old adult patient of autism intrathecally, with autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs), twice with an interval of six months. On follow up at 3, 6 and 9 months post first intervention, he was re-evaluated clinically and no major or minor side effects were observed. At 6 and 9 months objective outcome measures of Indian Scale for Assessment of Autism (ISAA) and Clinical Global Impression (CGI) were used and they showed significant improvement. At the end of 9 months, on ISAA, the score improved from 94 to 64. The CGI showed improvement by change in severity of illness from 3 (Mildly ill) to 1 (Borderline mentally ill). Global improvement on CGI was scored 2 (much improved) with an efficacy index of 5 (moderate therapeutic effect). PET CT scan was repeated at 6 months which showed a balancing effect in the metabolism of affected areas. The changes observed on the PET CT scan correlated with clinical improvements. MRI remained same at 6 months thereby, indicating that PET CT scan may serve as a better monitoring tool for effects of cellular therapy. In this case study, we hypothesize that cellular therapy has repaired the neural connections and achieved balance in the excitatory and inhibitory neuronal cells by various mechanisms of neuroprotection, neuromodulation and neurorestoration. Cell therapy holds great potential and randomized controlled trials may be conducted to study their long term effects in treating autism.