Are there FDA-approved stem cell treatments for ALS available?

At this time, the U.S. FDA has not approved any stem cell therapy specifically for ALS. Research is ongoing, and several clinical trials worldwide continue to evaluate the potential role of stem cells in ALS care. The treatment offered at the Stem Cell Transplant Institute (SCTI) uses ethically sourced mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and is considered a supportive, complementary therapy. It is not a cure and does not replace approved ALS medications. Patients should continue all prescribed treatments unless advised otherwise by their neurologist.

What are the costs associated with stem cell therapy for ALS at the Stem Cell Transplant Institute?

Costs vary depending on each patient’s medical history, recommended cell dosage, number of sessions, and any supportive therapies included in the treatment plan. Because ALS affects individuals differently, the SCTI medical team provides a personalized treatment estimate after reviewing your case. This approach ensures transparent pricing that reflects your specific clinical needs and treatment goals.

What protocol does the Stem Cell Transplant Institute use to help treat ALS patients?

SCTI uses mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from high-quality, ethically sourced umbilical cord tissue. These cells may be administered by IV infusion, and/or intrathecal (spinal) injection, depending on clinical criteria. The goal of MSC therapy is to help support a healthier neurobiological environment by modulating inflammation, providing neurotrophic support, and promoting cellular stability. Your clinical team will review each step of the process with you and tailor the approach to your individual condition and comfort level.

How much more time can I expect to gain from stem cell treatment?

Stem cell therapy is not a cure for ALS, and it has not been shown to extend survival. Some patients report improvements in comfort, stability, or daily function, while others may not notice significant changes. Individual responses vary widely. At SCTI, the goal of treatment is to support overall neurological health, promote a better quality of life when possible, and provide care that complements the treatments recommended by your neurologist. Your medical team will help set realistic expectations based on your individual condition and the current state of ALS research.

Does stem cell therapy work for ALS?

Stem cell therapy for ALS may help support nerve function and improve quality of life, but it is not a cure. Research suggests it can help reduce inflammation and support a healthier environment for nerve cells. Results vary, and it is used as part of a comprehensive care plan.

ALS Stem Cell Treatment in Costa Rica

What is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)?

ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects motor neurons — the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movements. As these neurons deteriorate, communication between the brain and muscles gradually weakens, leading to increasing difficulty with movement, speech, swallowing, and eventually breathing.

Research suggests that disruptions in the blood–brain and blood–spinal cord barriers may allow inflammatory molecules and other harmful factors to enter the central nervous system, contributing to further neuronal damage.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2023), approximately 300,000 people worldwide are affected by ALS, with most cases developing between ages 40 and 70.

Why Seek Stem Cell Therapy for ALS in Costa Rica?

Stem Cells Transplant Institute offers MSC-based regenerative protocols for ALS patients in San José, Costa Rica, within a certified medical facility operating under structured clinical protocols and direct physician supervision.

Costa Rica has become a destination for ALS patients from the United States, Canada, and Europe because travel from North America is under six hours, the costs are a fraction of what private programs in the U.S. would involve, and our team designs protocols that account for where each patient is in their progression, including respiratory and mobility limitations.

Before scheduling therapy, all ALS patients undergo a detailed medical screening and case review conducted by the institute’s physicians. Respiratory function, nutritional status, and current disease progression are all part of the pre-treatment evaluation. The protocol is designed around what is appropriate and safe for each patient at that specific moment.

Common Characteristics

Gradual muscle weakness, stiffness, or loss of fine motor control

Difficulty speaking, swallowing or managing saliva

Muscle cramps, twitching (fasciculations), or impaired coordination

Fatigue and increasing difficulty with breathing

Emotional changes, such as mood shifts, and in some cases mild cognitive or behavioral changes

Why Stem Cell Therapy for ALS?

Stem cell therapy with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) aims to support the biological processes involved in ALS by helping create a more balanced and protective environment around motor neurons. Emerging research suggests that MSCs may help reduce inflammation, modulate immune activity, and provide neurotrophic support that could contribute to healthier neuronal function.
These cells produce a wide range of growth factors and signaling molecules that may help decrease oxidative stress and support motor neuron survival. Their effects are thought to be indirect, acting through modulation of the surrounding microenvironment rather than through replacement of lost neurons.

While MSC therapy cannot reverse ALS, some early studies suggest it may help slow certain aspects of symptom progression or improve overall stability in some patients.

Evidence remains preliminary and ongoing controlled clinical trials are needed to determine the consistency and magnitude of these effects.

Transplantation of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Cytotherapy • 2016

Phase I/IIa clinical trial evaluating safety and feasibility of mesenchymal stromal cell transplantation in ALS patients, reporting acceptable safety profile and clinical potential.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Secreting Neurotrophic Factors in ALS Treatment

JAMA Neurology • 2016

Phase 1/2 clinical trials assessing safety and therapeutic effects of MSC-NTF transplantation showing promising clinical outcomes and tolerability.

Long-Term Safety of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation in ALS

Neurology • 2011

Long-term follow-up study demonstrating sustained safety of mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells for ALS Treatment

Frontiers in Neurology • 2025

Phase I/II clinical trial evaluating safety and efficacy of adipose-derived MSC therapy in ALS, showing encouraging clinical responses and tolerability.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells for ALS Therapy: Mechanisms Perspective

Reviews in the Neurosciences • 2017

Scientific review describing cellular and molecular mechanisms by which MSC therapy may support neuroprotection and regeneration in ALS.

Stem Cell Therapy for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

What is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)?

Why Seek Stem Cell Therapy for ALS in Costa Rica?

Common Characteristics

Why Stem Cell Therapy for ALS?

Neuroprotection

Reducing Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

Immune System Regulation

Support for Neural Connectivity

Expected Benefits and Clinical Observations

Timeline of Reported Improvements

Patient Stories & Testimonials

Frequently Asked Questions