Share This Page

Support & Insight for the Autumn of Life

20 Alzheimer’s Patients Get Deep Brain Stimulation

VIDEO & ARTICLE

See how doctors implant a deep-brain-stimulation device in “The Advance Study”. Learn how its electrodes stimulate a part of the brain called the fornix. Can it successfully slow memory decline & improve cognitive function in early-stage Alzheimer’s?


GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Researchers at the University of Florida have performed deep brain stimulation on a patient with Alzheimer’s disease as part of a clinical trial studying whether the treatment can slow progression of the disease.

The trial involves 20 people with early-stage Alzheimer’s. It is taking place at four sites across the United States, including UF. (Continued below video)

Called the Advance Study, the multicenter clinical trial will evaluate whether using electrodes to stimulate a part of the brain called the fornix can slow memory decline and improve cognitive function in patients in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

“The goal of treating Alzheimer’s disease with neuromodulation is to try to enhance what patients have and slow down memory loss and the process of the disease so they can have a few more years of good function,” said Dr. Michael Okun, co-director of the UF Center for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration and a site principal investigator for the study. “This is a potentially exciting symptomatic therapy.”

Characterized by memory loss and a steady decline in cognitive abilities, Alzheimer’s disease affects as many as 5.1 million Americans, according to the National Institute on Aging.

Deep brain stimulation is used to treat a variety of conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, dystonia and Tourette syndrome. In the procedure, researchers carefully place electrodes in specific regions of the brain. When these electrodes are turned on, they send electrical signals that prompt a therapeutic response.

Email me when people comment
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Edited by:
B. Berger

B. Berger

This site was inspired by my Mom’s autoimmune dementia.

It is a place where we separate out the wheat from the chaffe, the important articles & videos from each week’s river of news. With a new post on Alzheimer’s or dementia appearing on the internet every 7 minutes, the site’s focus on the best information has been a help to many over the past 15 years. Thanks to our many subscribers for your supportive feedback.

The site is dedicated to all those preserving the dignity of the community of people living with dementia.

Peter Berger, Editor

Share this page To

Related:

Music/Movies

“Alive Inside”

The help-dementia-with-music movie, “Alive Inside”, tells the story of social worker Dan Cohen’s crusade to help Alzheimer’s patients reclaim their most precious musical memories. Watch Bill Newcott interview the makers of the film.

Read More »
Exercise

Move More, Lessen Dementia

GENES & EXERCISE: Want to lessen Alzheimer’s risk? Research shows that physical exercise is as powerful as getting rid of an Alzheimer’s gene. Get motivated

Read More »
Share to Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

This site was inspired by my Mom’s autoimmune dementia.

It is a place where we separate out the wheat from the chaffe, the important articles & videos from each week’s river of news. With a new post on Alzheimer’s or dementia appearing on the internet every 7 minutes, the site’s focus on the best information has been a help to many over the past 15 years. Thanks to our many subscribers for your supportive feedback.

The site is dedicated to all those preserving the dignity of the community of people living with dementia.

Peter Berger, Editor

Visit Alzheimer's Weekly On

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x
News, Treatments, Care Tips

Subscribe To The Alzheimer's & Dementia Weekly Newsletter

videos & articles on Research & Prevention
News to Get at the Truth

Subscribe To Our Weekly Newsletter