Scientists discover a new Alzheimer’s treatment that requires no drugs or surgery

Researchers at the Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) have discovered have found a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s that can restore memory, without aggressive drugs or surgery. Nearly 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's and this number is projected to rise to nearly 40 million by 2020, according to CDC. This neurodegenerative disease is the 7th leading cause of death among U.S. adults, and 6th among people aged 65 and older. Though there is no cure for Alzheimer's, certain treatments can prevent disease progression, and help treat symptoms. A study published in Molecular Psychiatry, led by Professor Jürgen Götz at QBI’s Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, found that ultrasound therapy can effectively improve cognitive function in Alzheimer’s patients. The researchers found that low-intensity ultrasound effectively restored cognition without opening the barrier in mice models. The findings could pave the way for a potential non-invasive and drug-free treatment for millions of Alzheimer’s patients across the globe. “Historically, we have been using ultrasound together with small gas-filled bubbles to open the almost-impenetrable blood-brain barrier and get therapeutics from the bloodstream into the brain," Professor Götz said in a release. The research involved a designated control group who received ultrasound without the barrier-opening microbubbles."The entire research team was surprised by the remarkable restoration in cognition. We conclude therapeutic ultrasound is a non-invasive way to enhance cognition in the elderly,” Götz added. Ageing is linked with cognitive impairment and a decline in the brain’s ability to strengthen neural connections, known as long-term potentiation (LTP). Dr Daniel Blackmore, senior postdoctoral researcher on the team, expressed that the new research aimed to use ultrasound to restore LTP and improve spatial learning in aged mice.Professor Götz added that the brain was ‘not particularly accessible’, however, the ultrasound provided a tool for overcoming challenges like the blood-brain barrier."Using ultrasound could enhance cognition independently of clearing amyloid and tau, which form plaques and tangles in people with Alzheimer's disease. Microbubbles will continue to be used in combination with ultrasound in ongoing Alzheimer's research."Ageing is the single biggest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. Previous studies have shown the long-term safety of ultrasound technology and that pathological changes and cognitive deficits could be improved by using ultrasound to treat Alzheimer's disease.Professor Götz added that there were still questions about the differences between normal ‘physiological’ ageing and the ‘pathological’ ageing that happens in Alzheimer's disease.''We believe there may be some overlap between physiological and pathological ageing in the brain and the potential for this to be corrected with ultrasound is meaningful for those living with Alzheimer's disease. We are taking these findings and implementing them in our Alzheimer's research as we go forward to clinical trials,'' he said. The research team is hoping to understand more about how brain diseases start and learn about their progression at molecular and cellular levels in the hope of ultimately developing therapies for them.