Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in pregnancy: clinical outcome during the post-partum period after stem cell transplantation into the frontal motor cortex

Abstract

Background aimsAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is rare in pregnant patients. Stem cell therapy has been proposed as a potential therapeutic strategy for ALS. MethodsWe describe a young woman with sporadic ALS that started during the second trimester of pregnancy with a rapid progression after delivery and severe motor impairment. Several drugs and stem cell injection by lumbar puncture were performed without changes before the patient was referred to our institution. ResultsAfter bilateral autologous stem cell transplantation into the frontal motor cortices, we observed stabilization in ALS functional rating scale, significant delay of ALS progression and an extension in her life expectancy. ConclusionsStem cell transplantation may alter the clinical course of ALS and improve quality of life in pre-menopausal women.