P A T I E N T E X P E R I E N C E – A T A X I A

NAME: Brian Knoblauch

COUNTRY: Canada

AGE: 48

DIAGNOSIS: Spinocerebellar Ataxia 2 in 1986

REASON FOR COMING FOR TREATMENT:  Suffered from ataxia for twenty years, though until date of treatment, the patient did not feel the symptoms affected his life. After cousin Tim and his daughter came for treatment, he decided he wanted to come to improve some of his symptoms.

TREATMENT: Umbilical cord stem cell and nerve growth factor injections with rehabilitation therapy

START OF TREATMENT: April 22, 2006

BEFORE THE TREATMENT: The patient's primary physiological concern was his balance, but this among numerous symptoms (of erratically varying severity) had resulted in an onset of a mental condition characteristic of depression. Firstly, physical abnormalities caused by the patient's deteriorated coordination and balance included marked difficulties in walking, though not as pronounced as other patients with a similar condition. Physiotherapy prior to treatment can be viewed in videos 'Before 3 & 4'. Specific complaints given under interview included severe coordination impairment immediately after waking, with the patient describing himself as, "All over the place," for 10-15 minutes after getting up. when touching his nose, the patient complains of a need to concentrate, though does not appear as uncoordinated as sufferers of a similar condition. He had been afflicted by cramps in his legs and calves for 15-20 years, which had increased in severity over the last 2-3 years. The severity was such that they prevented him from stretching out and the localities included all four limbs, hands, fingers, toes and the tongue. The cramps made it impossible for the patient to carry liquids. Frequently itchy skin, which he scratched compulsively, sometimes to the point of bleeding.

Psychological symptoms (not directly attributable to his diagnosed condition) included severe anxiety. The patient had been prescribed the anti-depressant Paxil to control anxiety and sleeping patterns. Other symptoms of depression included mood swings and a tendency to become angry easily. He exhibited mild speech slurring and also had myopia.

Videos （4/24/06）: Before 1, Before 2, Before 3, Before 4

AFTER THE TREATMENT:

Videos （5/26/06）: After 1, After 2, After 3, After 4, After 5, After 6, After 7, After 8

Balance improved to a degree, and a comparison of the patient walking in videos before and after treatment show a perceivable change in speed, gait and dexterity. Other physiological improvements include the almost-total cessation of his cramps. During the early stages of treatment, the patient reports a "40%" improvement in carrying liquids (NB. This is the patient's own definition and should not be interpreted as having been experimentally verified). In the latest stages ('After 7'), the patient expresses even more perceived improvement, demonstrating as he explains. He also speaks of the regaining the ability to stretch out after waking. Episodes of his stumbling in the morning disappeared, expressing he, "Now walk[s] normally right away." Touching his nose after treatment, he has improved in speed. Itchy skin no longer a problem ('After 8').

Midway through treatment, the patient stopped taking his prescribed anti-depressant for fear that they may conflict with the stem cell therapy. He did not exhibit any of the auxiliary symptoms associated with rapid termination of a course of drugs of this kind. His sleeping patters, social stigmas and mood swings did not return. He had been on the course for 2 years.

Update (8/4/06): "It is approximately two months since I have been back home. In the mornings, the ataxia is acting up a bit, but this is probably due to the inconsistency of sleeping for now. My walking exercise is getting easier and also the balancing exercise on the rocking platform is better. I can now do them both while holding a cup of coffee. My legs are getting stronger and my over all cognitive ability has improved greatly. The shaking in my left hand is almost completely gone. I have had people notice that my speech has noticeably improved since I came back as well. They don't have to ask me two or three times to repeat what I am trying to say."

China Stem Cell News Note: Up until two years ago, Brian was not able to sleep at night because of his anxiety. The doctor prescribed Paxil and he was able to sleep again. Ten days into the treatment, Brian could no longer sleep so by his own discretion, without consulting the doctors in Nanshan Sixth People’s Hospital, he stopped taking Paxil. By the end of his treatment he could sleep more and he felt no anxiety. It is very difficult to understand why this happened and the doctors at Nanshan Hospital view it as a secondary reaction. This is similar to patients in the U.S. who have both leukemia and multiple sclerosis and are treated with stem cells for their leukemia, but find that their multiple sclerosis symptoms are also alleviated.