LOS ANGELES: Deep brain stimulation appears safe and well-tolerated in Alzheimer’s patients, although changes in cognition were no different from those in a sham group, researchers reported.
In a study of 42 patients – all of whom had electrodes implanted into the brain – those who had their device turned on had similar changes in scores on the ADAS-Cog and CDR-SB as those whose device remained off.
The phase II study, however, was only meant to show safety and tolerability, and will inform future trial designs.
Deep brain stimulation is approved for Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, and essential tremor, and is being evaluated for several other conditions, including epilepsy, depression, chronic pain, and stroke…