Motor-neuron-diseases-Case-Mr. Zhang

Case：Mr. Zhang from China

Nationality：

China

Age：

62 years old

Diagnosis：

Motor neuron diseases

First Admission Date：

Feb 2006

Second Admission Date：

Mar 2007

Third Admission Date：

Oct 2007

Background

Mr. Zhang is a Chinese 62 years old male patient suffering from motor neuron disease (ALS) since 2000, which was diagnosed in Beijing Xuanwu hospital in May, 2005. He was admitted to our hospital for the 1st round stem cell treatment in August, 2005, about 5 years after the disease onset. After the treatment, his deteriorative medical condition was controlled comprehensively and kept in stable. He received the 2nd round stem cell treatment in our hospital for the further consolidate the efficacy in February, 2006, about 6 years after the disease onset.

Pre-Treatment Condition（Before Stem Cell Treatment）

There was obvious muscle jump on his face and 4 limbs, it could be seen the distortion of his facial expression (he said that he made faces involuntarily.), which affected his sleep;
His both hands muscles atrophied and were weakness, the fine motor ability of his both hands were poor, he could not write;
His speech was slurred and weak, which affected his daily work seriously (He used to be a famous lawyer in local place.);
His lower limbs were weakness, he could not walk for very long period, he needed other’s assistant during being on upstairs.

Treatment Plan

Three courses of stem cell therapy
Surgical method: Lumbar puncture
Efficacy monitoring plan over 1 to 12 months post-treatment

After the First Course ofTreatment (1 month)

1. His facial expression was normal, the muscle jump was disappeared;
2. He said that he could feel his right lower limb stronger and relaxed than before;
3. His speech was clearer than before.

After the First Course ofTreatment (2 months)

1.The muscle strength of his 4 limbs was improved obviously;
2. He could write more smoothly;
3. His speech was much louder, his walking distance was obviously longer;
4. He had already gone back to his job position.

After the Second Course ofTreatment (6 months)

1. The foreign body sensation of his pharyngeal was disappeared;
2. The fine motor ability of his right hand was better, he could write beautiful calligraphy;
3. The muscle strength of his lower limbs was improved obviously, even better than the condition after 1st round stem cell treatment;
4. The sensation of his lower limbs was more relaxed than that before the treatment, he could move more flexibly, he could run, jump, squat etc. more easily.

After the Third Course ofTreatment (12 months)

1.The disease progression halts until now;

2.The foreign body sensation of his pharyngeal is disappeared completely;

3.The fine motor ability of his hand is more stable and accurate, his writing is much neater.

Symptom	Improvement
Severe involuntary facial/limb muscle jumps; disrupted sleep.	Significant reduction in muscle fasciculations.
Hand muscle atrophy; poor fine motor skills (unable to write).	Improved writing fluency.
Slurred, weak speech; impacted professional work.	Louder voice; longer sentences.
Severe weakness; unable to walk long distances; needed stair assistance.	Extended walking distance. Further strength gains; ability to run, jump, squat.
Reliant on others for stairs/work.	Returned to job as a lawyer.

Progress Summary & Future Outlook

The patient's progress after stem cell treatments is remarkable. Looking ahead, his physical condition is likely to keep improving. His motor skills may reach near-normal levels, enabling more complex tasks. His speech could become indistinguishable from a healthy person's. With the disease progression halted, he may enjoy an active life.