" My right hand actually has been numb since 1989, twenty something years, but it still functions reasonably well. But just here in the last couple of days I’ve noticed periods, just short periods, of maybe five minutes or so it’s less numb, and it’s movements are freer. "
DIAGNOSIS: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) leading to cerebral palsy, diagnosed February 12, 2005
2009 Update: Check out a subtitled collection of clips from the StemCellsChina Vault here.
See here for a full youtube video documenting Lukas' treatment and recovery
REASON FOR COMING FOR TREATMENT: The patient sustained a severe brain injury in January 2005 when he fell down seven steps on a staircase with his nanny. His brain mass was reduced by 40% and a severe edema fluid sac developed that covered around 35% of his brain. He was in a coma for seven days and upon awakening he had forgotten how to do many of the things he could do before. The patient had been on medication and received regular physiotherapy since his injury in 2005, and had seen some significant improvement. He also saw a group of nine doctors on a regular basis (about every 2-3 months), including a neurologist, neurosurgeon, pediatric ophthalmologist and pediatrician. His parents decided to bring him to China for stem cell treatment in October 2006. Lukas saw several substantial improvements after his first round of treatment (as detailed below), encouraging his parents to bring him for a second series of injections in April 2007.
TREATMENT: Oct. 2006: Umbilical cord stem cell and nerve growth factor injections with rehabilitation therapy, Apr. 2007: Umbilical cord stem cell and nerve growth factor injections with rehabilitation therapy
START OF TREATMENT: First treatment: October 9, 2006
Second treatment: April 19, 2007
See Lukas's clips combined and subtitled into one video (and streaming) on Vimeo and YouTube.
BEFORE THE TREATMENT: A number of cognitive abilities had been lost, including speech and the ability to identify objects and play. He also had difficulty identifying the purpose of certain simple objects, for instance his mother says that though, "He recognises people that are important to him, like family and doctors, he does not know what to do if you give him [for example] a ball." His sight was also severely compromised, a result of a neurological condition in which the brain could not process all of the information. His eyes were crossed. He had poor trunk strength, and could not stand or sit still without assistance. He could not walk or move about. He could not eat solids. He was also on medication for acid reflux, bowel movements, sleeping problems and irritability. He would not make eye contact with those around him, and was generally unresponsive to the world around him.
During the period prior to stem cell therapy (Oct. 06-Apr 07), the patient had been visiting various medical specialists and been undergoing physiotherapy on a very regular basis, and his mother reports of good improvements in neck control, trunk control, his ability to walk in a walker and his understanding of simple commands such as, "High-5," "Eat," and, "Let's go outside."
Or check out a collection of all the clips hosted here.
AFTER THE FIRST TREATMENT: The patient's trunk strength improved immediately after treatment, enabling him to sit on his own for long periods of time. His general bodily coordination improved, such that he now uses his left arm, "To play and hit things." He was able to eat solid foods, and his appetite increased. His mother later reported in post-treatment interviews that he, "No longer pushes food away." His cognitive skills increased significantly and "Immediately," and included, according to the mother, "Mental and personality" improvements, as she noted he had become, "Very playful, more resposive, more aware, happy [and] not as zoned out." She also reported that he might playfully hit his family/attendants, and laugh at their response, further indication of improved social interaction and vocalization.
He was far better at processing visual information, and as a result was much more responsive to the world around him. He could interact with people and objects without the same reluctance or incomprehension as before. However his eyes remain crossed. Most significantly, a scan taken five months after his return to the United States revealed that the fluid sac that covered his brain had significantly decreased in size. According to his neurosurgeon, it had resolved by 85%. His medications were stopped, and the vast majority of his American doctors (8 of 9 specialists) deemed it unecessary that he continue to see them (NB. Video of the mother describing this improvement is listed in the videos section of the second treatment course, see below).
AFTER THE SECOND TREATMENT: Lukas’ muscle strength continued to improve, for example, he can now pull himself to a sitting position from horizontal and can walk a short distance while his hand is held. Other improvements to his mobility include the ability to stand on his own for up to two minutes, and his mother reports an increase in his body strength when playing (response to tickling, playful hitting etc). Furthermore, he can now eat comparably to his siblings - ie. solid foods - as a result of an improved appetite, and increased muscle control. He started speaking more, and became generally calmer and happier than before. The fluid sac covering his brain is now 95% resolved. At the most recent visit to date with his neurologist, Lukas was told that he will walk independently and that his gross motor skills can recover greatly.
