Turkish doctors determine candidacy by evaluating neuroplasticity, baseline motor skills, and neurological stability through multi-stage screenings. Specialists like Dr. Erdal Karaöz at Liv Hospital Ulus prioritize patients with spasticity who show potential for functional gains. The process integrates remote record reviews with on-site neurological and laboratory testing.
- Neuroimaging review: Specialists analyze recent brain MRIs to confirm non-progressive injury types.
- Motor skills baseline: Neurologists measure capabilities using the Gross Motor Function Measure.
- Age factor: Doctors favor younger patients because their developing brains show higher plasticity.
- Safety screening: Mandatory tests confirm controlled seizures, normal organ function, and no infections.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Clinical decisions in Turkey involve multi-disciplinary teams often led by professors with international training. For instance, Dr. Erdal Karaöz trained at Harvard and founded Turkey's first GMP-standard stem cell lab. Patients benefit from this academic rigor, as top doctors like Dr. Gulsen Kose and Dr. Guzide Turanli bring Hacettepe University's clinical standards to private care. A consultation with Dr. Karaöz starts from $200, which includes a review of his specialized clinical trials using umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that doctors focus more on functional potential than just a diagnosis. They report that sharing videos of the patient's movement helps in the initial remote screening. Many realize that seeking incremental gains like better head control is more realistic than a total reversal of disability.