"It was two years ago"
An injury that is no longer recent
The accident is behind you, but the weakness, the stiffness or the slower thinking are not. You want to know what may still help.
Traumatic brain injury · Medellín, Colombia
Stem cell therapy after a brain injuryWhen a head injury is still holding you back.
After a head injury, inflammation in the brain can keep extending the damage for months. Mesenchymal stem cells are studied for how they may calm that response and support the brain that is still working, given through a vein or, when the neurologist recommends it, into the fluid around the spinal cord. A neurologist reviews every case first, so the plan is designed for the patient.
- Neurologist review first
- IV or intrathecal
- 3 days in Medellín
2routes: intravenous or intrathecal
3 daysin Medellín
2visits usually recommended
3–6 mowhen results are usually seen
Who it helps
If one of these is you, keep reading.
"It happened this year"
A recent injury, still in recovery
The injury was diagnosed within the last year. The neurologist may also consider the intrathecal route.
"His muscles are so stiff"
Spasticity and weakness after the injury
Tight muscles, a weak side, trouble with fine movements. You want to know what may help them loosen up.
"She's not the same since"
Memory, focus and self-care
Slower thinking, trouble concentrating, needing help with daily tasks. You want to support the recovery, alongside therapy.
"I'm handling it for my son"
A family member coordinating the care
Many brain-injury cases are coordinated by a parent or partner. Your coordinator speaks with whoever is caring for the patient, and the trip is planned around mobility.
What the cells do
What the cells may do after a brain injury
Mesenchymal stem cells work mostly by the signals they release, and that is what the research is testing after brain injury.
Calm the inflammation that keeps going
After a head injury, the brain's immune cells (microglia) can stay switched on long after the accident, and that inflammation keeps harming nearby tissue. The cells release signals that may calm it. For the patient, the aim is to stop the injury from quietly spreading.
Support the neurons still working
The cells release growth factors (natural proteins that help nerve cells survive). They may help protect the neurons around the injury that are struggling but still alive.
Help the brain find new paths
The brain can build new connections to take over lost tasks; this is called neuroplasticity. The cells are studied for how they may support that process, while rehabilitation trains the new paths.
Timing and route matter
In animal studies, the cells worked best when given early after the injury. That is why the neurologist may consider the intrathecal route, into the fluid that bathes the brain and spinal cord.
What patients hope to change
- Less stiffness in the affected muscles
- More strength and control on the weak side
- More independence in daily self-care
- Clearer thinking and better focus
- More progress from rehabilitation sessions
The aim is to support the brain that is still working, together with rehabilitation.
Any time since the injury
How long ago was the injury? Every case is reviewed.
Slide along the time since the injury. Intravenous or intrathecal: the neurologist decides the route for each case.
Recent injury
IV or intrathecal
The neurologist decides which route fits the case: intravenous over three days, or intrathecal in the operating room over four days.
After the first year
IV or intrathecal, still
Time since the injury does not rule out either route. The neurologist reviews the imaging and decides which one fits.
Long-standing injury
Still worth a review
Both routes can be considered, and the neurologist designs a plan for the case, together with rehabilitation.
What the evidence says
What the research shows so far
Human research with mesenchymal stem cells in traumatic brain injury is growing: several trials, including a larger one with a modified cell, build on a strong base of animal studies.
In a small first study, Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells were well tolerated, and spasticity, strength and independence scores improved over one year.
Phase I study, 6 young adults with brain injury, cells given into the spinal fluid, by vein and into the muscle. Only brief, mild side effects were reported.
Safety and efficiency of Wharton's Jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cell administration in patients with traumatic brain injury: First results of a phase I study. · World Journal of Stem Cells, 2024 ↗People with lasting effects of a brain injury who received umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells into the spinal fluid improved in movement and self-care scores; the untreated group did not.
Randomized study, 40 patients with sequelae of brain injury, four applications by lumbar puncture, 6 months of follow-up, compared with a group that did not receive cells.
Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell transplantation significantly improves neurological function in patients with sequelae of traumatic brain injury. · Brain Research, 2013 ↗In chronic brain injury, a modified mesenchymal cell implanted into the brain by surgery improved movement scores more than a sham operation at 6 months.
Randomized, sham-controlled phase 2 trial, 63 patients with stable motor problems after brain injury. This used a modified bone-marrow cell product and brain surgery, a different treatment from the Stem Cells Colombia protocol.
Cell Therapy for Chronic TBI: Interim Analysis of the Randomized Controlled STEMTRA Trial. · Neurology, 2021 ↗Across 80 animal studies, mesenchymal cells improved movement and memory after brain injury, with the best results when given in the first week.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical studies in rodents.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical studies testing mesenchymal stromal cells for traumatic brain injury. · NPJ Regenerative Medicine, 2021 ↗In short: Studies with umbilical cord and Wharton’s jelly cells showed improvements in movement, spasticity and independence, and a large body of animal research supports these results. A neurologist reviews the case, and the cells work together with rehabilitation, the engine of recovery.
Your treatment & price
Three days.
The infusion runs slowly, over three hours or more, with a physician present. Afterwards you rest with your coordinator checking on you; if you add the Marriott Hotel, it is one elevator away. Results are usually expected between 3 and 6 months.
An online consultation with the neurologist designs your plan before you book anything, so you travel with everything clear.
The trip works like every treatment: Evaluation by the specialist, online consultation, and your days in Medellín. See your journey.
Brain injury · from $4,000
From $4,000
USD · final price confirmed after your medical consultation
- Stem cells IV, with a dose designed for you
- Cancer markers and premedication
- A consultation with the specialist for your condition
- A bilingual coordinator
- Can be added: exosomes, a blood detox IV, the Marriott Hotel in the same building and airport transfers
Flights and meals not included.
Your medical team
A neurologist decides. A specialist applies.
Dr. Zaida Cabezas, neurologist, reviews every case first, with the imaging, the medical reports, the date of the injury and recent blood work, and decides whether the patient is a candidate and by which route. If the intrathecal route is chosen, Dr. Diana Reyes, anesthesiologist and pain specialist, performs the application in the operating room.
Questions
Your questions, answered.
Am I (or is my family member) a candidate?
It depends on how long ago the injury happened, the imaging, the current symptoms and general health. Send the reports; a neurologist reviews them, so the plan is designed for the patient before you book anything.
What do the stem cells actually do after a brain injury?
They release signals that may calm the inflammation that keeps going after the injury, support the neurons that are still working and help the brain build new connections. The aim is to support recovery, together with rehabilitation.
Does it matter how long ago the injury was?
Yes. Whether the injury is recent or not, the neurologist may consider the intrathecal route. After that, the intravenous route can be considered, and for long-standing injuries too the neurologist reviews the case and designs the plan.
When would you see changes?
Changes usually build between 3 and 6 months, and every person responds at their own pace. Keep up the rehabilitation: it turns that support into real progress.
How many visits will be needed?
Two visits are usually recommended, 6 to 8 weeks apart. The neurologist confirms it for each case.
What does the neurologist need?
The imaging and medical reports, the date of the injury, current medication and recent blood work: CBC, vitamin B12, folate, HIV, hepatitis B and C and syphilis serology, TSH and free T4, fasting glucose and HbA1c, ferritin, creatinine, liver enzymes and vitamin D. Every protocol also includes cancer markers.
Do you stop current medication or therapy?
No. Anti-seizure medication, any other prescriptions and rehabilitation stay exactly as the treating doctors indicated. This works alongside them, never instead.
How is the patient kept safe?
Every protocol starts with cancer markers, for your safety: it is designed for people without active cancer. The neurologist reviews the full history first.
Is it legal and safe?
Stem cell therapy is not approved by the FDA, but in Colombia it is legal. Every application is done by specialist physicians, after a neurologist has reviewed your case.
What does the intrathecal protocol look like?
Four days in Medellín. Day 1: cancer markers and nebulized exosomes. Day 2: premedication, a blood detox IV and nebulized exosomes. Day 3: premedication, the intrathecal application of stem cells in the operating room, and nebulized exosomes. Day 4: exosomes IV and nebulized exosomes. The neurologist reviews your case first and decides whether this route is for you.
How much does it cost?
The intravenous protocol starts from $4,000 USD: the stem cells IV, premedication, cancer markers and a consultation with the neurologist. Exosomes, a blood detox IV, the Marriott Hotel in the same building and airport transfers can be added to your plan, and your coordinator sends that price in writing. The intrathecal protocol starts from $7,300 USD and includes the stem cells by the intrathecal route in the operating room with sedation and fluoroscopy, exosomes IV, local and nebulized, three consultations, a blood detox IV, four nights at the Marriott Hotel in the same building and airport transfers. The exact price is confirmed after the neurologist consultation.
Your next step
Tell your coordinator when the injury happened.
Send the imaging and the reports. A neurologist reviews the case and explains what you can expect.