Turkish Neurosurgery
Functional Recovery after Wharton’s Jelly-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Administration in a Patient with Traumatic Brain Injury: A Pilot Study
Serdar Kabataş1, Erdinç Civelek1, Gülseli Berivan Sezen1, Necati Kaplan4, Eyüp Can Savrunlu1, Ercan Çetin1, Furkan Diren 1, Erdal Karaöz5
1University of Health Sciences, Gaziosmanpaşa Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey, Neurosurgery, , istanbul,
2Marmara University, Institute of Health Sciences , Pediatric Allergy-Immunology, istanbul,
3University of Health Sciences, Center for Stem Cell and Gene Therapy Research and Practice, istanbul,
4Istanbul Rumeli University, Çorlu Reyap Hospital, Neurosurgery, istanbul,
5Istinye University, Faculty of Medicine, Histology and Embryology, istanbul,
6Liv Hospital, Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research & Manufacturing (LivMedCell), istanbul,
7Istinye University, Center for Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering Research and Practice, istanbul,
DOI: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.31732-20.1

Aim:Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is described as brain parenchyma damage that results in neurological impairment after a trauma. It can cause a main insult accompanied by a series of secondary insults. The primary injury may be repaired through surgical operation, however, there are only limited options for managing the secondary insults. Stem cell transplantation (SCT) became an innovative method of treatment in TBI, since it can halt degeneration and support the renovation of the damaged brain cells.Material and Methods:This study included a 29 years old male who had TBI resulting from a vehicle accident which took place one and a half years ago. The participant received six doses of intrathecal, intramuscular, and intravenous transplantation of WJ-MSCs at a goal dose of lxl06 / kg respectively for each route of administration for six monthsResults:No important negative effects were reported. The patients’ speech, cognitive, memory and fine motor skills were improved. The efficacy of treatment with SCT was assessed with cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) screening, and electroencephalography (EEG).Conclusion:SCT can have a promising future as a medical approach in recurrent TBI.

Corresponding author : Eyüp Can Savrunlu