Perspectives on the use of stem cells for autism treatment

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a defined condition characterized by impairments in social interaction, communication, and often repetitive behaviors and patterns. It has a multifactorial etiology, meaning that each case may present differently from others. In individuals with autism spectrum disorder, deficits in social communication are often accompanied by symptoms related to repetitive behaviors or specific areas of interest. With the rapid increase in the prevalence of ASD today, attention has shifted towards stem cells as a potential new treatment option. Currently, there is no accepted treatment for autism spectrum disorder. The existing treatments for autism do not directly alter the underlying molecular basis but rather aim to address the social and behavioral dysfunctions resulting from disruptions in these pathways, providing various interventions and support that have an impact on the quality of life. This review provides an overview of stem cell types, studies related to the use of stem cells, and an exploration of stem cell applications in cerebral hypoperfusion, demonstrating that the potential treatment of individuals with autism using stem cells holds promise for the future.

Cite this article as: Solmaz GD, Erbaş O. Perspectives on the use of stem cells for autism treatment. D J Med Sci 2024;10(3):134-141. doi: 10.5606/fng.btd.2024.163.

Idea/concept, data collection and/or processing, analysis and/or interpretation, literature review, writing the article: G.D.S.; Control/supervision: O.E.

The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article.

The authors received no financial support for the research and/or authorship of this article.

Data Sharing Statement:
The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.