Remission induction of spinocerebellar ataxia 6 with medicinal herbs

The spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are clinically and genetically a heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative disorders. At present, we have no effective therapeutic tools. Previous studies have shown for the first time, the successful treatment of spinocerebellar ataxia by medicinal herbs [1,2]. Here we report the herbal therapy for another case of spinocerebellar ataxia 6 with typical symptoms. A 71-year-old female suffered from ataxia of gait and stance, limb ataxia and dysarthria. Genetic tests revealed an expanded allele of 22 CAG repeats at the spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 locus. She was diagnosed as spinocerebel- lar ataxia 6. A mixture of 21 medicinal herbs (a modification of Zhengan Xifeng Tang) was given according to the differential diagnosis based on the guideline of traditional Chinese medicine. Most of the symptoms were remarkably improved after 60 days of the herbal treatment. Ataxia of gait and stance disappeared, and her total ataxia score was improved from 26 to 12 on a 100-point semi-quantitative International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS). Together with the previous report, the results imply therapeutic potential of the medicinal herbs for spinocerebellar ataxia 6.