Alzheimer's disease brings many changes – both for those with the disease and for their families.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia and is incurable. The number of people with Alzheimer's disease is continuously increasing – around 33 million people worldwide are currently living with the disease. Due to the progressive loss of nerve cells, patients suffer from memory loss, have orientation problems and can no longer manage their daily lives independently. As a result, the quality of life of the patients and their relatives is considerably reduced.
Here we present a non-invasive option as a concomitant procedure (i.e. alongside standard therapy) for patients with Alzheimer's disease – Transcranial Pulse Stimulation (TPS®) using the NEUROLITH® system.
Key facts about TPS®
- For patients with symptoms of Alzheimer's disease
- Acoustic pulses are transmitted through the scalp and skull in a controlled manner
- Straightforward outpatient treatment
- Duration of a session: approx. 30 minutes, six sessions in two weeks
Alzheimer’s disease is named after the neurologist Alois Alzheimer, who provided the first scientific description of the disease in 1906. It is the most common form of dementia, affecting about 60 to 70% of the 50 million dementia patients worldwide. The disease is a neurodegenerative disease (a group of diseases including Parkinson’s disease, for example). Neurodegenerative diseases are associated with a progressive loss of nerve cells and cell function.
Depending on the stage of the disease (mild, moderate, severe), typical symptoms include memory loss, disorientation, speech problems, difficulties performing familiar activities and personality changes. These difficulties may vary in severity and increase as the disease progresses. As a result, patients are no longer able to manage everyday life independently and are increasingly reliant on support. The quality of life of those with the disease as well as their relatives is significantly reduced as a result.
10 warning signs of Alzheimer's disease1
1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life
2. Challenges in planning or solving problems
3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks
4. Confusion with time or place
5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
6. New problems with words in speaking or writing
7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
8. Decreased or poor judgement
9. Withdrawal from work or social activities
10. Changes in mood and personality
1 Alzheimer’s Association: Alz.org/10signs
Advanced Science News: Ultrasound therapy improves the memory of Alzheimer’s patients
Alzheimer's & Dementia: Transcranial ultrasound pulse stimulation reduces cortical atrophy in Alzheimer's patients: A follow-up study
BBC News: tACS Brain Stimulation Boosts Memory
Brain Stimulation: Treating the brain at the speed of sound
Frontiers in Neurology: Retrospective real-world pilot data on transcranial pulse stimulation in mild to severe Alzheimer's patients
Medical Xpress: New ultrasound technique significantly improves brain performance
ResearchGate: Transcranial Pulse Stimulation with Ultrasound in Alzheimer's Disease-A New Navigated Focal Brain Therapy
ScienceDaily: Ultrasound in the treatment of brain diseases
