The patient with PSMA suffering for more than 40 years regains his former confidence and optimism at WMC!

Mr. Fausto Simone, an elegant and optimistic 56-year-old gentleman from Argentina, unfortunately suffers from motor neuron disease — progressive spinal muscular atrophy (PSMA). At 6 months of age, his family noticed weakness in his limb movements, and genetic testing at a local hospital confirmed the diagnosis of motor neuron disease — progressive spinal muscular atrophy (PSMA). Before the age of 11, he could move his limbs independently and perform simple daily activities such as writing and using the toilet. Over the following 40 years, his motor function gradually declined, with nearly complete loss of function in all limbs; only slight adduction movement remained in the thumbs of both hands. He had weak phonation, slurred speech and labored breathing.

God closed a door for Mr. Fausto Simone, yet allowed him to find Wu Medical Center. Starting at age 41, Mr. Fausto Simone received three courses of Dr. Wu’s original neural stem cell + CAST therapy at Wu Medical Center. After each treatment, he distinctly experienced improvements in motor function together with halted or slowed disease progression: improved respiratory function, louder voice, clearer speech, and enhanced limb mobility. The arrested disease progression and relieved symptoms enabled him to actively communicate normally with family and friends in daily life. He faced life with greater courage and confidence. His optimism brightened every aspect of life for him and his family, bringing more frequent smiles to their faces.

However, in recent years, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Fausto Simone was unable to return for further treatment, and his disease gradually worsened. Recently, presenting with weak phonation, slurred speech, occasional choking when drinking water, barely movable fingers, and only approximately 0.2 cm slight adduction of both thumbs and other debilitating symptoms, he returned to Wu Medical Center again to receive Dr. Wu’s original dual stem cell + CAST therapy.

This time, Dr. Wu and Mr. Fausto Simone met again after many years, and both old friends were delighted and emotional. Mr. Fausto Simone remained confident that this trip to Beijing would restore his confidence in life. Dr. Wu was thoroughly familiar with Mr. Fausto Simone’s condition. During the years when the patient could not come back for follow-up visits, Dr. Wu upgraded the dual stem cell + CAST therapy multiple times, making him more confident in halting the progression of Mr. Fausto Simone’s disease, ameliorating his physical symptoms and fulfilling his expectations.

After only two weeks of hospitalization, Mr. Fausto Simone’s disease progression was arrested, and physical functions improved significantly in all respects.

Before treatment: He had weak phonation and slurred speech, unable to communicate normally with others.
After treatment: His voice became louder, articulation clearer, and he could communicate with others fluently.

Before treatment: Muscle strength for left neck rotation was Grade 2-, and muscle strength for right neck rotation was Grade 2-.
After treatment: Motor function improved; neck rotation muscle strength reached Grade 2.

Before treatment: Muscle strength of adduction and abduction of his left thumb was Grade 1+, and that of his right thumb Grade 1+. The muscle strength of the remaining fingers was Grade 0. His fingers barely moved, with only approximately 0.2 cm slight adduction of both thumbs.
After treatment: The adduction function of both thumbs improved. Muscle strength of adduction and abduction of the left thumb rose to Grade 2, the right thumb to Grade 2. The range of motion reached 1 cm, subtle flexion appeared in the index fingers, and mild movement was observed at the wrist joints.

Before treatment: Bilateral elbow and knee joint contractures prevented full extension. Passive elbow extension reached 75 degrees, and passive knee extension approximately 100 degrees.
After treatment: The range of motion of his limb joints increased. Passive elbow extension reached 95 degrees, and passive knee extension approximately 120 degrees.

Before treatment: Pulse 82 beats per minute, respiratory rate 20 breaths per minute. Breath sounds at bilateral lung bases were faint, and heart sounds were low.
After treatment: Cardiopulmonary function improved. Bilateral lung breath sounds were markedly enhanced. Blood oxygen saturation was maintained above 95%, peaking at 97–98%. His resting respiratory rate was approximately 18–20 breaths per minute.

Mr. Fausto Simone’s disease progression was halted and his physical symptoms achieved definite improvement. He can laugh and tell jokes with others again, showing the whole world with his optimism that he is still that "brave warrior"!

We hope to accompany more patients suffering from motor neuron disease — progressive spinal muscular atrophy (PSMA), just like Mr. Fausto Simone, to experience the cutting-edge dual stem cell + CAST therapy different from conventional medical treatment at WMC, so as to halt disease progression, improve motor function, elevate their quality of life, and face their future lives with confidence.

To learn more information of Mr. Fausto Simone’s patient story, please refer to the following link:
Fausto Simone-Motor Neuron Disease-Progressive Spinal Muscular Atrophy (PSMA)-(Argentine)