Neuroregenerative Rehabilitation Therapy with long-term Lithium in a Male Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patient: A Case Report.

Abstract

Various cellular therapies are being increasingly investigated for the treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease with selective loss of anterior horn cells. Lithium is known to enhance the potency of transplanted cells, while being well tolerated by ALS patients. Additionally, rehabilitation significantly improves outcomes in various neurodegenerative disorders. We present a 47-year-old male patient suffering from ALS for 2 years, whose treatment involved intrathecal transplantation of autologous Bone Marrow-derived Mononuclear Cells and long-term Lithium, followed by multidisciplinary neurorehabilitation, and standard Riluzole treatment. ALS-FRSr score improved from 39 to 41; FIM remained stable at 101; 6MWT distance improved from 396 m to 480 m and Berg Balance score remained stable at 56 over a span of 18 months. Symptomatic improvements were seen in speech, swallow, stamina, walking and muscle strength; fasciculations and cramps reduced drastically. The highlight of this case is the maintenance of the patient’s condition in view of a degenerative prognosis. Cellular therapy along with long term Lithium and holistic rehabilitation, in addition to standard Riluzole treatment- together termed as Neuroregenerative Rehabilitation Therapy- is a novel approach for halting disease progression and qualitatively improving living conditions for ALS patients and caregivers alike.