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AUGUSTA, Ga. — Alzheimer’s disease is a formidable challenge, currently affecting 7 million Americans above the age of 65. This condition ranks as the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, reflecting its significant impact on public health.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention project a worrying trend: by 2060, the number of older adults suffering from Alzheimer’s could soar to 14 million. This anticipated rise underscores the urgent need for innovative treatments and interventions.
In response to this looming crisis, researchers at Augusta University are spearheading efforts to change the trajectory of Alzheimer’s progression. Their pioneering project has received approval to initiate clinical trials exploring a novel treatment approach.
The focus of their research is on deep brain stimulation (DBS), a technique they hope will prove effective in improving the lives of those grappling with the disease. The team is optimistic that DBS could offer a new avenue of hope for Alzheimer’s patients, potentially altering the course of this devastating illness.
They’re working to see if D-B-S can be effective on patients battling the disease.
Researchers started the process a year ago, working for months to finally get the go ahead at the federal, hospital, and university levels.
“The Deep Brain Stimulation Project that we’re working on together has the potential to really change Alzheimer’s big time,” said Dr. John Morgan, a professor in the department of neurology.
Deep Brain Stimulation surgery was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1997, and has seen positive results in animals and humans battling Parkinson’s disease.
Dr. Fernando Vale has performed multiple D-B-S surgeries in the past.
“It’s a very safe surgery, and it basically requires the implementation of a wire into the brain, and we’re attempting to modify brain networks to get the best clinical response,” said Vale. “It requires an overnight stay in the hospital in the I-C-U, but it’s for safety. But, in a sense, they get VIP treatment.”
Dr. David Blake is leading the trial, studying the effect of D-B-S on Alzheimer’s for the last decade.
He says the goal is to see if the surgery can improve cognitive health in Alzheimer’s patients for at least two years, but believes there is the potential for it to be a cure.
“A cure would be relieving the patient of all of the symptoms of the disorder. If we can restore their memory to the point they could engage in activities normally and daily living again, and if that extended indefinitely I would say that is a cure. However—they have a device, they’ve had a surgery, so there’s a lot of caveats to that. But, I think it can be a cure,” said Blake.
Vale says based on past surgeries, patients are able to go home as soon as 24 hours following the surgery.
“I can reassure the patient and the caregivers that this is something that we’ve done since 1997, and we have a system. The system is for the patient and for the family,” he added.
The research team is actively looking for patients willing to take part in the study.
Morgan says they are looking for specific patients that have cognitive challenges.
“You can’t have cancer and have Alzheimer’s. You can’t have a heart attack last week and go into an Alzheimer’s trial, that kind of thing. So, they need to be good candidates that are healthy enough for surgery, healthy enough to give us some time to see how the treatment works,” said Morgan.
To learn more about this trial, click here.