MS, Parkinson’s and Experimental Brain Procedures

Beyond relying on the brain’s ability to reorganize and repair itself, it is hoped that recent discoveries about neuroplasticity can be applied to the treatment of Central Nervous System (CNS) damage in patients (Pinel 2018). In the late 1980s researchers began to explore the possibility of repairing damaged CNS tissue by implanting embryonic tissue near the damaged area. This approach focused on Parkinson’s disease. While early signs were positive, sadly, neurotransplantation ultimately proved unfeasible in the majority of cases (Pinel. 2018). Neurotransplantation was tried as a cure for multiple sclerosis (MS) with similar results. Another type of treatment that was designed to prompt neurogenesis in MS patients was the “Liberation Therapy” of the early 2000’s. Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI) was pointed to as the cause of MS and the theory was that opening the narrowing of arteries draining the brain would prompt neurogenesis and alleviate MS symptoms. This too, unfortunately, worked as a cure only for a handful of MS patients and only for a short length of time. That said, for those patients with Parkinsons and MS who benefitted from these experimental procedures (including the author), the improvements have been a blessing.