What is a stroke?
A stroke happens when blood supply to part of the brain is cut off (ischaemic stroke, about 85% of cases) or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts (haemorrhagic stroke). Brain cells deprived of oxygen begin to die within minutes, which is why stroke is a medical emergency. The NHS stroke guide explains the signs and treatment.
Act FAST: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call emergency services. New stroke symptoms need emergency care immediately.
Effects of stroke
Effects depend on which part of the brain was damaged:
- Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
- Speech and language problems (aphasia)
- Swallowing difficulties
- Vision loss
- Memory, attention and thinking changes
- Fatigue, low mood and anxiety
- Spasticity (muscle stiffness) and pain
Causes and risk factors
- High blood pressure (the biggest single risk factor)
- Atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat)
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- Smoking and heavy alcohol use
- Obesity and inactivity
- Narrowed carotid arteries
Diagnosis and assessment
| Test | Why it is done |
|---|---|
| CT scan | Rapidly distinguishes bleeding from blockage |
| MRI brain (including DWI) | Shows the size and location of the stroke |
| CT or MR angiography | Looks for blocked or narrowed arteries |
| ECG and heart monitoring | Detects atrial fibrillation |
| Echocardiogram | Checks the heart as a source of clots |
| Functional scales (NIHSS, mRS) | Measure stroke severity and disability |
When considering any additional treatment, the type, size and age of the stroke all matter. You can send your brain MRI or CT and discharge summary for a doctor review to get a realistic opinion.
Standard treatment and rehabilitation
- Emergency treatment. Thrombolysis (clot-busting medicine) and mechanical thrombectomy dramatically improve outcomes when given within hours.
- Stroke unit care. Specialist nursing and early rehabilitation.
- Rehabilitation. Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy. Intensity and repetition matter.
- Secondary prevention. Antiplatelet drugs or anticoagulants, blood pressure control, statins, diabetes management, stopping smoking.
- Spasticity management. Stretching, splints, botulinum toxin injections.
- Psychological support for depression and anxiety, which are common after stroke.
Newer rehabilitation tools include constraint-induced movement therapy, robotic devices and, in some countries, vagus nerve stimulation paired with rehab for arm recovery.
Stem cell therapy for stroke: what trials show
Researchers have tested several cell types in stroke, given intravenously, into an artery or directly into the brain. The main idea is that cells release signals that reduce inflammation and support the brain’s own repair, not that they become new brain cells.
| Trial / approach | Design | Result |
|---|---|---|
| MASTERS (MultiStem, Hess et al., Lancet Neurology, 2017) | Randomised phase 2, IV cells 1–2 days after ischaemic stroke | Safe; did not improve the main outcome at 90 days |
| TREASURE (Houkin et al., JAMA Neurology, 2024) | Randomised phase 2/3 in Japan, IV cells within 36 hours | Safe; did not meet the primary outcome |
| Intracerebral cell implants (e.g. SB623, PISCES) | Small trials in chronic stroke | Some signals in early studies; not confirmed in larger trials |
| Mesenchymal stem cells (various) | Small trials, acute and chronic stroke | Generally safe; efficacy uncertain |
Systematic reviews, including a Cochrane review on stem cell transplantation for ischaemic stroke, conclude that the evidence is insufficient to support routine use. Research continues, especially on timing, dose and route.
Regulatory status
No stem cell therapy is approved for stroke by the US FDA, the Australian TGA or the UK MHRA, so families in the US, Australia and the UK cannot access it at home outside trials. The FDA warns about unapproved stem cell therapies. Clinical trials can be found on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Where regenerative care may fit
Some people with long-standing stroke effects explore stem cell therapy in combination with intensive rehabilitation. If you do, it should be framed as experimental, with no promise of improvement. Wellness-oriented care, such as our longevity program, may support general health and cardiovascular risk control, but it is not stroke treatment.
Who may be a candidate, and who should not
May be considered for review:
- Ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke at least several months ago, now medically stable
- On appropriate secondary prevention medicines
- Engaged in ongoing rehabilitation
- Cleared to fly
Should not:
- Recent stroke or TIA without full workup and stability
- Uncontrolled blood pressure, atrial fibrillation not on treatment, or unstable heart disease
- Active infection or active cancer
- Severe swallowing problems with aspiration risk not under management
- Anyone planning to stop blood thinners or other prevention medicines
Risks
- Infusion reactions: fever, headache
- Infection
- Blood clots or, with arterial delivery, the risk of new brain injury
- Seizures (reported with some direct brain approaches)
- Travel-related risks: deep vein thrombosis, dehydration
- No benefit
Cells are prepared in ISO 9001:2015-certified partner laboratories.
What a Bangkok program looks like
- Send your records. Brain imaging reports, discharge summary, rehab notes and medication list.
- Doctor review, including cardiovascular risk.
- Assessment on arrival. Neurological examination, blood tests, blood pressure and heart checks.
- Treatment plan, if suitable, combined with physiotherapy sessions in Bangkok.
- Handover to your home rehab team.
See how it works for travel and planning. Related: Parkinson’s disease and heart failure.
Aftercare
- Continue all prevention medicines
- Keep up daily rehabilitation exercises
- Stay hydrated and move regularly on long flights
- Monitor blood pressure
- Report new weakness, speech change or severe headache immediately as an emergency
Sources
- NHS: Stroke
- Hess DC, et al. Safety and efficacy of multipotent adult progenitor cells in acute ischaemic stroke (MASTERS). Lancet Neurology, 2017.
- Houkin K, et al. Allogeneic stem cell therapy for acute ischemic stroke: the phase 2/3 TREASURE randomized clinical trial. JAMA Neurology, 2024.
- Cochrane review: Stem cell transplantation for ischemic stroke.
- U.S. FDA: Consumer Alert on Regenerative Medicine Products Including Stem Cells and Exosomes
Frequently asked questions
Can stem cells repair brain damage after stroke?
Not proven. Laboratory studies suggest cells may support recovery through signals that reduce inflammation and encourage repair, rather than by replacing lost neurons. Human trials so far have not shown a clear benefit on disability.
Is there a time limit for stroke recovery?
Most recovery happens in the first three to six months, but many people keep improving for years with continued rehabilitation. It is never too late to work on function.
What is the best treatment after a stroke?
Emergency clot-busting or clot-removal treatment in the first hours, then specialist stroke unit care, structured rehabilitation and medicines to prevent another stroke. These have the strongest evidence.
Can I travel to Bangkok after a stroke?
Many people can, but timing depends on how recent the stroke was and your stability. Most doctors advise waiting until you are medically stable and cleared for air travel. Your stroke team should advise on fitness to fly.
Should I stop blood thinners for a stem cell procedure?
Never stop blood thinners or other stroke prevention medicines without your doctor. Stopping them can trigger another stroke. Any procedure plan must be agreed with your treating doctors.
How do I know if I am a candidate?
Send your brain MRI or CT reports, discharge summary and medication list on WhatsApp. A doctor will review them and explain honestly whether a program is reasonable.
This page is general information, not medical advice, and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor. Results vary and no treatment outcome can be guaranteed. We are a patient coordination service and may receive a referral fee from partner medical providers. See our medical disclaimer and referral disclosure.