Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive and debilitating brain disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. It is a form of dementia that slowly destroys a person’s memory, thinking, and ability to carry out simple tasks.
Neurosurgery is a medical speciality that deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of disorders affecting the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.
In recent years, neurosurgery has emerged as a potential treatment option for Alzheimer’s disease.
What is Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive and irreversible brain disorder that affects memory, thinking, and behaviour. It is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of all cases. The exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease is not known, but it is believed to be a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.
The disease progresses slowly, and the symptoms get worse over time. In the early stages, the symptoms may be mild, such as forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating.
As the disease progresses, the symptoms become more severe, and the person may experience confusion, mood swings, and trouble with everyday tasks.
What is Neurosurgery?
Neurosurgery is a medical speciality that deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of disorders affecting the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. Neurosurgeons are trained to diagnose and treat various conditions, including brain tumours, spinal cord injuries, and stroke.
They use advanced imaging techniques and surgical procedures to treat these conditions.
How can Neurosurgery help Alzheimer’s disease?
Neurosurgery is emerging as a potential treatment option for Alzheimer’s disease. Neurosurgery aims to slow down or stop the progression of the disease by removing the amyloid plaques that build up in the brain of Alzheimer’s patients. Amyloid plaques are sticky deposits of beta-amyloid protein that accumulate in the brain of Alzheimer’s patients. These plaques are believed to be one of the leading causes of the cognitive decline seen in Alzheimer’s disease.
One of the most promising neurosurgical treatments for Alzheimer’s disease is deep brain stimulation (DBS). DBS involves the implantation of electrodes into specific brain areas to stimulate those regions. This technique has been used successfully to treat Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders. Recent studies have shown that DBS can also improve cognitive function in Alzheimer’s patients by increasing blood flow to the brain and reducing amyloid plaques.
Another neurosurgical technique that has shown promise for treating Alzheimer’s disease is the use of focused ultrasound. Focused ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to target and destroy specific areas of the brain.
This technique has been used successfully to treat tremors and other movement disorders. Recent studies have shown that focused ultrasound can also be used to break up amyloid plaques in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive and debilitating brain disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. Neurosurgery is a medical speciality that deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of disorders affecting the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.
Neurosurgery is emerging as a potential treatment option for Alzheimer’s disease, with promising results from deep brain stimulation and focused ultrasound techniques. While these treatments are still in the experimental stage, they offer hope for the future of Alzheimer’s disease treatment.
Sources:
- Alzheimer’s Association. (2022). What is Alzheimer’s? Retrieved fromhttps://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers
- American Association of Neurological Surgeons. (n.d.). What is Neurosurgery? Retrieved fromhttps://www.aans.org/en/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/What-is-Neurosurgery
- Hamani, C., Stone, S. S., Garten, A., Lozano, A. M., & Winocur, G. (2011). Memory rescue and enhanced neurogenesis following electrical stimulation of the anterior thalamus in rats treated with corticosterone. Experimental Neurology, 232(2), 100-104. doi: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2011.08.024
- Leinenga, G., Götz, J., & Scarmeas, N. (2021). Focused ultrasound for Alzheimer’s disease: A systematic review. Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions, 7(1), e12112. doi: 10.1002/trc2.12112
- Martinez-Fernandez, R., Rodriguez-Rojas, R., Del-Alamo, M., Hernandez-Fernandez, F., & Alegre-Cano, L. M. (2020). Deep brain stimulation for Alzheimer’s disease: A systematic review. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 16, 1913-1920. doi: 10.2147/NDT.S261719
