19 Year Old Suffering from Cerebral Palsy Makes Dramatic Improvement

Medical News Today, April 22, 2007

A breakthrough in the treatment of Cerebral Palsy was announced today. The safe and non-invasive procedure was performed on 19-year-old Gabor from Hungary using neural stem cells. The treatment was administered at Tiantan Puhua Neurosurgical Hospital which is famous for its world leading treatments for stroke and Parkinson’s disease.

Via a lumbar puncture, stem cells are injected into the patient’s spinal cord fluid during the procedure. The circulating spinal fluid transports the stem cells directly to the brain. Gabor is the first teenage European Cerebral Palsy patient to see fast and remarkable improvement as a direct result of stem cell therapy. Gabor was afflicted with Cerebral Palsy at birth and unedited video taken before and after his treatment demonstrates his dramatic progress. His ability to concentrate, write, focus his eyes, walk, and perform many other skills affected by his condition all improved significantly.

7.5 months into pregnancy, Gabor was born prematurely. At only two weeks old, he suffered from Septicemia secondary to Gastroenteritis caused by Thrush. Doctors were able to resolve the initial infection, but it was obvious Gabor was not a normal healthy child. He had quadriplegia and exhibited inconsistent bilateral eye movements. At 6 months, he was diagnosed with a moderate mid-brain injury and the onset of lifelong Cerebral Palsy. He suffered from attention deficit disorder due to his diagnosis. Studying, reading, writing; anything requiring concentration was difficult. Signs of dyslexia were apparent in German and Hungarian (which was his cradle language). His speech was good but slower than normal prior to the stem cell treatment.

Better concentration on one subject, increased eye focus, and improved vision, are among Gabor’s immediate and most obvious improvements after his eight-week stem cell therapy program. He reported that his muscle tone was improved, and that he was now able to sit up without additional support. He also gained the new capability to swim and walk without assistance.

Prior to the stem cell treatment, Gabor had always used a wheelchair for transportation. He was never able to walk independently since he had paralysis in his lower limbs as a lifelong quadriplegic. Within four months following his initial treatment, he developed increased maneuverability in his torso and legs; he was able to leave his wheelchair for a walker. He could move at a speed three-times faster than before. His speech also became faster and more clear.

In Gabor’s most recent blog entry dated March 11, 2007, he excitedly stated, "My ability to concentrate has increased up to 6 hours a day as a result of stem cell treatment, so studying is much easer than before. I no longer get tired from learning."

"Cerebral Palsy sufferers worldwide now have an exciting new option to consider for their treatment," said Dr. Sherwood Yang, Vice President of Tiantan Puhua Hospital. "It is commonly believed by multiple authorities that the incidence of CP in the industrialized world is about 2 per 1000 live births. This means every year there are approximately 5,000-10,000 babies born with CP in the United States and well over 40,000 in China, not to mention Europe and the rest of the world. It is satisfying to know that a trip to our Tiantan Puhua Beijing facility may now bring tremendous hope to so many out there who dream of reducing the disheartening and debilitating effects of CP, no matter their age," said Dr. Yang.

The procedure at Tiantan Puhua consists of approximately four injections of neural stem cells into spinal cord fluid. The treatment is administered over the course of several weeks and is very safe and simple. There are no risks associated with the treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine is also added to the patient’s treatment as well as customized physical therapy and a nutritious intravenous cocktail that protects the implanted stem cells. Full international standards are maintained during the entire treatment protocol.