Case No 7: Hereditary Spastic Cerebellar Ataxia.

History and condition before taking G – Therapy :

Vidyanand is the 1st product of a consanguionous parents born of a full term normal delivery. (C.I.A.B.) with a birth weight of 7 ½ lbs. No postnatal complications were observed. He was apparently normal till 14 years of age when the problem started with inability to walk, drooling, difficulty in speaking and hand writing skill.

His family history reveals one younger sister similarly affected and is now bed ridden. On investigation his NCV study done in Feb. 1999 was also suggestive of mild delay in conduction velocity. He started walking with a stick since last 1 year. He reported here with chief complaint of difficulty in walking without stick and slow motor activities with unclear speech and drooling.

On examination fluctuating tone was found in both upper extremity and lower extremity with mild wasting too in lower limbs. Functionally he was walking with a stick on his right side with a wide based ataxic gait. He could stand independently with a broad based stance for about 1 - 2 minutes but walking was not possible without support. Cerebellar signs like intentional tremors, adiado kinesia and nystagmus were also observed. Finger to nose test and heel to knee test were positive. Rhomberg’s sign was also positive. His speech was moderate dysarthric with a staccato appearance. Constant drooling was also seen. His deep tendon reflexes were exaggerated and his planters were up going. No impairment in cognitive function was found and he was independent in all his daily activities though slow.

Improvements noted after G – Therapy for 16 months :

1. His NCV study is also normal neurophysiologic response and shows improvement in conduction velocities of sensory normal as compared to previous study.
2. He can walk independently on a even surface up to 10 – 15 steps independently with a wide based atamic gait.
3. Drooling has reduced.
4. Can sit in the squatting position independently.