Former Taiwanese president diagnosed with brain disorder

Enru Lin

The China Post

Publication Date : 30-03-2013

 

A US-based physician has diagnosed former Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian with an incurable neurological disorder best managed in a home environment, said the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) at the Legislative Yuan yesterday.

Samuel Chou, a veteran neurologist who sits on the board of the ALS & Neuromuscular Research Foundation, evaluated Chen on January 16 at the request of the patient's private medical team.

Alongside the medical team, DPP lawmaker Chen Chi-mai formally released results of Chou's assessment at the Legislative Yuan on Friday.

According to the report, Chen's recent urinary incontinence, dementia and gait disturbance are three classic symptoms of normal pressure hydrocephalus .

Normal pressure hydrocephalus is a neurological disorder in which excess fluid builds up in the brain, causing permanent damage to nerve cells. The condition can be managed but not cured. Without treatment, symptoms often worsen and can lead to death.

Chou's report urged “immediate homecare” after shunt surgery to alleviate symptoms and to curb further deterioration.

Medical parole

At the Legislative Yuan, Chen Chi-mai urged President Ma Ying-jeou to grant Chen medical parole so that he can be transferred to a home environment.

“President Ma, the professional consensus is that homecare is the best course of treatment. Please allow the Taipei Veterans General Hospital to test out this option for Chen Shui-bian,” said the lawmaker at the caucus press room yesterday.

Kuo Cheng-deng of Chen's medical team said the brain condition may have been triggered by long-term light exposure and sleep deprivation at Taipei Prison.

Chen Shui-bian, who is serving a 20-year sentence for graft and related charges, was transferred to the Taipei Veterans General Hospital last September to be treated for clinical depression and other conditions.

Kuo, who directs the division of medical research at Taipei Veterans General Hospital, said his hospital should immediately run its own diagnostic tests for normal pressure hydrocephalus.