Long‐term results of Alzheimers’ dementia treated with transcranial pulse stimulation

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundThe treatment of the brain with focused extracorporal shock waves (ESW) in patients with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome dates back to 2006 (1). This was followed by preliminary investigations for the treatment of Alzheimer’s dementia and Parkinson’s disease in the years up to 2014.The introduction of a shock wave generator with a navigation system in 2016 (Neurolith, Storz Medical) was a breakthrough for the precise treatment of brain structures. This method of brain treatment was then called TPS. After a 3 month study with people living with Alzheimer’s dementia in 2019 (2), we now present patients with long‐term follow‐up over 3 years during continous monthly TPS treatment as a critical undertaking for future treatments.Method6 persons living with mild Alzheimer’s dementia (Mini Mental Status >18) were treated initially 6 times during 2 weeks with TPS. Subsequently, they received one TPS session monthly over 3 years. The results were assessed with the CERAD Plus score and compared with the data of the expected natural development with standard medication according to the ALSOVA study of Hallikainen.ResultWhile cognitive skills improved by 12% over 12 months, outcomes returned to the baseline in the second year. A two‐week booster of 6 sessions with TPS improved outcomes again by 4.5% compared to the baseline. After 3 years, the results were at the level of the expected natural development with standard medication.ConclusionA symptomatic improvement of Alzheimer’s symptoms with low‐energy TPS over several years seems to be possible. It was a methodological mistake not to examine the patients more frequently neuropsychologically. It is conceivable that this would achieve a better long‐term result.(1.) H. Lohse‐Busch, U. Reime and R. Falland, (2014) Symptomatic treatment of unresponsive wakefulness syndrome with transcranially focused extracorporeal shock waves. NeuroRehabilitation 35 (2014) 235‐244(2.) Beisteiner R, Matt E, …… Lohse‐Busch H (2019) Transcranial pulse stimulation with ultrasound in Alzheimer’s disease—A new navigated focal brain therapy. Adv Sci (Weinh) 23;7(3):1902583.