“Alzheimer’s, Focused Ultrasound and Hyperbaric Oxygen”
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the nation’s most common form of dementia, and it’s on the rise. The Alzheimer’s Association reports that 5.8 million Americans age 65 and older had Alzheimer’s dementia in 2020. By 2050, that number could rise to 13.8 million. AD is one of the top 10 leading causes of death for which there is currently no cure or treatments to prevent or decelerate it. One in 3 seniors die with (not necessarily from) Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or other types of dementia. Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that gradually destroys brain tissue and people’s ability to remember, think, communicate, and lead independent lives. It is the most common form of dementia. West Virginia University scientists used MRI scans to show what happens when ultrasound waves target a specific area of Alzheimer’s patient’s brains. They concluded that this treatment may induce an immunological healing response, a potential breakthrough for a disease that accounts for up to 80% of all dementia cases. The ultrasound targeted the hippocampus in particular because it plays a large role in learning and memory. The focused ultrasound procedure modifies brain amyloid levels and might be used to treat patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other brain disorders.
