AARS2 leukoencephalopathy, a new variant of mitochondrial encephalopathy, is a member of a rare group of neurological diseases with progressive degeneration of cerebral white matter leading to various disabilities in children. As there is no specific treatment for this disorder in the conventional medicine there is a wide scope to explore effective interventions in Ayurveda to manage this condition.  This case report is an effort in this direction. A 4-years male child presented with delayed developmental milestones, involuntary movements of extremities and head, postural imbalance, inability to speak, stand and walk. Examination revealed generalized hypotonia, ataxia, nystagmus, global aphasia, dysmetria and cognitive impairment. MRI brain revealed possibility of leukodystrophy. Clinical exome next generation sequencing revealed pathogenic AARS2 gene with autosomal recessive inheritance. The patient was treated with a set of procedures which consisted of Udvartana, Sarvanga Abhyanga with Ashwagandha Bala Lakshadi Taila and Shastika Shali Pinda Sweda, Kalabasti with Mustadi Yapana Basti Yoga, Shirodhara and Shirobasti with Brahmi Taila and Physiotherapy. This set of treatments was followed every 4 months for 3 consecutive years. Internal medications in the form of Saraswatarishta with gold, Mahakalyanaka ghrita and Samavardhana ghrita and Suvarnaprashana were administered. After 3 years of treatment, involuntary movements of head was completely relieved, whereas those of extremities got markedly reduced. Nystagmus was relieved completely. Child was able to stand without support for 20 seconds and to walk with support. He was also able to speak bisyllables and was able to follow verbal commands. GMFCS score improved from level V to level III. Thus, Ayurvedic intervention in the form of Panchakarma and internal medications, in a long run, had significant role to play in improving the motor and cognitive impairments in a patient affected by AARS2 leukoencephalopathy.

Geetha Kumari  has completed her Masters in Ayurveda at the age of 28 years Rajiv Gandhi Univeristy of Health Sciences, Bangaluru, India. She is the Head and Associate professor in Department  of Kaumarabhritya at Shree RMD Ayurveda College & Hospital of  Gujaray Ayurveda University, Jamnagar, India. She has the expertise in neurological and skin diseases in children. She has 6 publications in reputed journals. She has presented papers in many conferences.