Neurologists at the University of Texas have found that deep brain stimulation can be an effective way to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. The results of the research were published in the journal Nature Communication.
Deep brain stimulation works by placing electrodes in specific areas of the brain to transmit electrical impulses. This is how doctors usually treat diseases such as epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease. Scientists say the method may also be effective in slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
The scientists’ experiment involved 46 patients with a mild form of the disease. All were treated for the disease during the experiment. The researchers stimulated the fornix of the brain, as well as a group of fibers involved in emotional and behavioral responses. According to scientists, people with mild Alzheimer’s disease suffer muscle damage.
As it turned out, patients responded better to treatment when these areas were stimulated. The scientists will continue to examine the method in their future work.