TED ANKARA COLLEGE / 10-H
is 60-70 % in certain types of blood cancer. As a result of its high success rates in many diseases, Stem Cell Therapy is considered a major medical innovation.
Current Status of Mental Disorders and Treatments Even though it is one of the organs the most research and experimentation has been done on, the brain is still the least understood organ of the human body. As mental disorders represent dysfunction in this organ, the understanding and knowledge regarding them also remain limited despite the great progress and major developments made in the last few decades.
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The most common treatment method used for mental disorders is the prescription of antidepressants. Although the side effects of these medications have decreased and their success rates have increased thanks to the medical developments made in the last two decades, the rate of antidepressants being effective in each patient is still one in three. When this rate is considered, it is concluded that a patient needs to try three different antidepressants on average in order to reduce their symptoms. Since it is known that mental disorders greatly disturb one’ s daily routines and even put their life in danger in heavy cases, it can be said that this method is not sufficient or enough on its own and the development of different methods for the treatment of mental disorders is highly important.
Stem Cell Therapy as a Treatment for Mental Disorders In 2024, stem cell therapy was used to treat a case of resistant bipolar disorder and depression. Special stem cells called MSCs that are anti-inflammatory and able to form new neurons were obtained from adult bone marrow donors. Doctors used these MSCs to reduce brain inflammation believing that it would result in stabilizing the mood swings caused by bipolar disorder. While initial findings showed that the case is progressing successfully, the patient also stated that her energy levels and mood stability were improved.
Another development in the application of stem cell therapy for mental disorders after obtaining promising results, involves the usage of lithium which is already commonly used as a mood stabilizer. Studies have shown that lithium is also successful in increasing the proliferation and diversity of neural stem cells. These properties of lithium gave hope to doctors in terms of finding a new and effective treatment method using lithium with stem cell therapy simultaneously.
A Promising New Method Stem cell therapy is regarded as a promising new method for the treatment of mental disorders. However, this method still has a long way to go to be used widely among psychiatric patients as it is still in the research and development process. Nevertheless, it has already brought great hope to patients who are struggling and have not responded to treatments. In conclusion, it can be said that the usage of stem cell therapy as a treatment method for mental disorders is a groundbreaking innovation in medicine and was met with enthusiasm by people interested in mental health.