Treatment Synopsis

 

Introduction

The Foltra Treatment focuses on creating neurogenesis via the inducement of neurotrophic factors such as EGF, EPO, IGF-1, BDNF and  FGF through Growth Hormone, which is also, a neurotrophic factor.  For instance, GH has been found to induce EPO release from the kidneys, induces EGF and EGFR in many territories and GH stimulates the liver to produce IGF-1.

 

The inducement, activation and action of GH and induced neurotrophic factors play a significant role for instance in the production, proliferation and migration (or repair) of neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia, cerebral endothelial cells and ependymal cells.

 

The cells migrate according to cytokine signaling along chemical pathways to replace for instance, apoptic/necrotic cells and complete neural pathways or repair damaged cells where signals are upregulated and receptor expression is increased. This allows for axonal sprouting and synaptogenesis, which then provides new potential for neuroplasticity. This then allows for the recovery of lost cognitive and motor functions.

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What is Neurogenesis and Neuroplasticity?

Neurogenesis is the process by which neurons or nerve cells are generated within the brain from neural stem cells and progenitor cells. These new neurons replace useless, non-functional degenerated or damaged neurons.

Neuroplasticity is the ability of nerve tissue to form new interneuronal connections or synapses (synaptogenesis). Synaptic plasticity is the ability to change the synaptic strength, with new connections getting stronger with use. Changes in the strength of these, includes neurotransmitters.

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What are Neurogenic Niches?

These are areas of the brain where neurogenesis occurs, with the most well know zones being the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus in the hippocampus, the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricles ( lining the lateral walls of the anterior lateral ventricles) and the Olfactory bulb. The occurrence of neurogenesis is believed at this stage to be limited in other central nervous system regions during normal conditions, with a potential to be activated under abnormal conditions.

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How does it work?

Neurogenesis and Neuroplasticity are subject to activation and regulation by the occurrence of physiological, pathological and environmental input (such as pharmacological action, injury or learning). The two processes are linked, but independent and work together dynamically in a highly complex and fine tuned method, of which not all the mechanisms are currently known. The processes, though complex are under ongoing investigation with factors such as stages of adult neurogenesis, for instance from neural precursor generation to proliferation, differentiation, migration through to synaptic integration of new neurons and synapse formation having been discovered (Alvarez-Buylla and Lim, 2004; Duan et al., 2008; Lledo et al., 2006).

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This has been further confirmed  - “This week, an eye-opening new study, “Adult-Born Neurons Modify Excitatory Synaptic Transmission to Existing Neurons” reported how newborn neurons (created via neurogenesis) weave themselves into a “new and improved” neural tapestry. The January 2017 findings were published in the journal eLife. During this state-of-the-art study on mice, neuroscientists at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) found that the combination of neurogenesis and neuroplasticity caused less-fit older neurons to fade into oblivion and die off as the sprightly, young newborn neurons took over existing neural circuits by making more robust synaptic connections”(Bergland. C, 2017). This study shows the importance of neurogenesis in providing the underlying foundation for neuroplasticity to occur.

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The treatment provided by The Foltra Foundation harnesses very specifically neurogenesis in conjunction with neuroplasticity to recover functionality. It is an adjunctive treatment to existing medical treatment (ie., a patient is in a coma in hospital and utilising mechanical breathing), or it is the main form of treatment if the acquired or congenital injury is no longer being treated.

 

Using the Endocrine system to induce Neurogenesis​

Neurotrophic factors: “A "trophic factor" can be generally defined as any molecule that supports the survival of cells. Nerve growth factors are polypeptides that regulate the proliferation, survival, migration, and differentiation of cells in the nervous system. Most of the studies have focused on the effect of growth factors on neuronal survival and maintenance, hence, the term "neurotrophic factors." By definition, a neurotrophic factor is synthesized by and released from target cells of the neurons. It is bound to specific receptors, then internalized and transported by retrograde axonal transport to the cell soma where multiple survival-promoting effects are initiated. Neurotrophic factors act via 2 different classes of receptors and activation of various signaling pathways in the target cells [Machalinski et al 2012]”. (Jain. K, 2016)

Amongst growth factors with neurotrophic effects are hormones such as Growth Hormone, IGF-1 and Melatonin. All trophic factors play a role to some degree in some, or all of the processes of neurogenesis, neuroprotection and neuroplasticity.

 

The Foltra Foundation utilises the endocrine system first and foremost to induce Neurogenesis, neuroprotection and repair via hormones such as Growth Hormone, IGF – 1 and Melatonin.