Stimulating the brain to control cognitive decline
Researchers found that deep brain stimulation methods can slow cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s patients.
Published: by Interim HealthCare in Alzheimer’s
Deep brain stimulation is a method used to treat several neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, tremors and chronic pain. It’s designed to help patients whose medication is not effective in controlling their symptoms. The process involves implanting electrodes to send electrical impulses that stimulate the brain and can improve cognitive function and reduce symptoms. A device, called a brain pacemaker, monitors how much stimulation the patient receives. The Mayo Clinic emphasized that DBS is not a cure for cognitive disease, but that it can significantly improve symptoms when the treatment is successful.
Clinical trials continue to test the possibility of using the treatment for other conditions, such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. Researchers at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center recently conducted a study to test a DBS implant on patients with Alzheimer’s disease. According to the University, this is the first time anyone has used DBS to target brain behavior regulation in patients with the cognitive disease.
Controlling the decline
Rather than focusing on improving memory function, the researchers wanted to see if the treatment could slow the decline of problem-solving and decision-making skills in Alzheimer’s patients. They placed the electrical wires on the frontal lobes, which control daily cognitive functions like organizing, planning and making proper judgments.
The study results, published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, showed that these functional abilities decline at slower rate, when compared to patients who did not receive the DBS treatment. One of the patients began the trial with limited independence, but after two years of DBS treatment was able to cook, choose clothing and plan day trips by herself – which is an impressive feat for someone with long-term Alzheimer’s.
Dr. Ali Rezai, a neurosurgeon who collaborated on this clinical trial, concluded that the findings “hold promise for improving connectivity, cognitive and functional performance, and should be further studied in Alzheimer’s disease.”
Promoting more research
With dementia affecting so many seniors worldwide, researchers are eager to conduct more DBS trials to determine its effectiveness. Professor Andres Lozano has been conducting trials in Canada, and described the potential outcome of this research to BBC Health: “Although we are not talking about treating the Alzheimer’s degeneration, we can look at changing the downstream consequences by turning parts of the brain back on.”
While more trials are necessary for the current method, the Ohio State researchers also want to study new ways to stimulate the brain without requiring surgery. Ultimately, that research could lead to non-invasive treatment methods to slow cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s patients. Patients would experience regained independence and benefit from a greater quality of life.
