There are many different types of ataxia, which can be classified into three broad categories:

• Acquired ataxia: A product of damage to the brain or nervous system as a result of head trauma, a stroke, cerebral palsy, autoimmune diseases, infections, paraneoplastic syndromes, a tumour, toxic reaction, nutritional deficiencies or other problems.
• Hereditary ataxia: Where symptoms develop slowly over many years and are caused by faulty genes that a person inherits from their parents.
• Idiopathic late-onset cerebellar ataxia (ILOCA): Where the brain is progressively damaged over time for reasons unknown.

How Our Products Can Treat Ataxia

We use products derived from human baby umbilical cord tissues in all our therapy programs - Wharton's Jelly MSCs (wjMSCs). The human brain is strictly regulated by the blood-brain barrier (BBB). This is a semipermeable endothelial membrane that separates blood from cerebrospinal fluid. It is a highly selective mechanism that allows only a select few types of cells, particles and molecules enter the brain. Our products are special because they can:

• prevent rejection by regulating the immune system (immunomodulation) ^{[5,6,12,13,14,15,16,17,18]}.
• reduce inflammation ^{[6,17,18,19,20,21,23]}.
• prevent cells from dying (apoptosis) ^{[5,6,8,19,24]}.
• transform into neurons and glia ^{[20,24,25,26,27,28]}.
• promote the formation of nerve cell axons (axogenesis) ^[21,22].
• incapable of forming tumours ^[5,14,15,29].
• release neuroprotective factors ^[8,30].
• encourage existing cells to adapt (neuroplasticity) ^[31,32,33].

Treating Ataxia

A 2011 study conducted by Nanjing University Medical School in partnership with Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine concluded that wjMSCs improved the behavior of ataxic mice by decreasing cerebellar cell death, increasing levels of IGF-1 hormone to repair the brain and increasing levels of vascular endothelial growth factors to promote the formation of blood vessels ^[34]. Previous studies of animal models of neurotoxic ataxia have found that IGF-1 protects the brain from further damage ^[35]. It has also been found to stabilise and reduce disease progression in patients with spinocerebellar ataxias 3 and 7 ^[36].

A year later, another combined study by a Shanghai-based laboratory and transplant center noted a significant improvement in gait, limb, speech and eye movement (based on ICARS rating scale) ^[37] at 1 month post-wjMSC implantation. The total effective rate of nerve function was up by 16.7% as well. It concluded that intrathecal injections were feasible, effective and improved the quality of life of those afflicted with spinocerebellar ataxias ^[38].

In 2013, researchers at Nanjing University Medical School treated 16 patients with 4 separate intravenous and intrathecal injections of wjMSCs each. Patients were evaluated according to the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) ^[37] and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) ^[39]. At the end of 12 months of periodic monitoring, 44% of patients exhibited improved balance ability (BSB) while 63% had improved neuronal function manifesting as better posture and walking ability, motor function, speech and ocular motility (ICARS) ^[40].

The most recent study, by the National High-Technology Research and Development Program of China, corroborates that ICARS scores were significantly decreased after 1 month of treatment and that improvements were noted in walking, standing, slow movement, upper limb motor coordination, writing, eye movement and speech. They noted that there was 84.62% of improvement after 52 courses of treatment. They posited that wjMSCs were able to ameliorate clinical symptoms, delay the progression of the disease and, with multiple courses, improve neurological function ^[41].

Cyrona’s Program

Achieving high standards in our work is of paramount importance to us. Depending on a patient’s needs, we combine our premium grade Passage 2 wjMSCs with physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and/or rehabilitative medicine. 

Learn more about our Products and Programs.

Why Choose Cyrona?

• Latest cellular research and technology.
• Unique, tailored therapy outlines.
• Products that meet international standards.
• Microbiology & clinical team with extensive experience in advanced medicine.
• Board-certified physicians geared towards patient safety.
• Fact-based information from clinical studies and trials.
• No outlandish promises of a one-stop-cure or false improvement rates.

Therapy Packages

All our therapy packages come inclusive of:

INTERNATIONAL PATIENTS

• Premium grade Passage 2 wjMSCs.
• Treatment by qualified specialist(s).
• Certificate of Analysis (CoA).
• Airport transfer.
• Transportation to & from therapy session(s).
• Accommodation.
• Hospital room for therapy.

LOCAL PATIENTS

• Premium grade Passage 2 wjMSCs.
• Treatment by qualified specialist(s).
• Certificate of Analysis (CoA).
• Transportation to & from therapy session(s).
• Hospital room for therapy.

How Do We Proceed

All our therapies are charged based on the number of products and supplementary infusions required for the patient’s specific condition. As no two people are alike, our specialists review each patient’s medical reports before tailoring a therapy catered to addressing his or her individual needs.

You may chat with one of our Customer Care Representatives or send an e-mail detailing the patient’s condition to one of our Liaison Officers. It would expedite the process if you can provide us with:

• Imaging results (MRI scan / CT scan / X-Ray).
• Hematology reports (blood test).
• Doctor’s assessment reports.
• Pictures or videos of the patient (if relevant).

Upon getting in touch with us, a Liaison Officer evaluates and assigns the case to the specialist best equipped to treat the condition. A therapy, unique only to the patient, is drawn up and a price quoted accordingly.

Should you decide to proceed with therapy, our specialists require that all patients have Cancer Marker Screening performed in their country of residence before travelling to us for therapy. If the patient has had Cancer Marker Screening within the last 3 months, you may e-mail those results to us. In the event that the patient’s Cancer Marker Screening results are not satisfactory, our specialists will refuse to proceed with therapy. It is for this reason that we requests that patients have Cancer Marker Screening performed in their country of residence prior to travelling to us.

One week prior to arrival, a deposit payment is required in order to arrange accommodation and transportation.

Full payment is required to be made one-day prior to therapy commencement.

Post-treatment, our specialist will provide the patient with a post-treatment protocol as well as what to expect on his or her journey towards a better, and hopefully, healthier new life.