2023-09-24 09:50:00
The Hunt for Memory: Shock Waves as a Secret Recipe Against Alzheimer’s?
In Germany, approximately 1.8 million individuals live with a diagnosis of dementia, a disease that still has no cure. However, the hunt for new therapies is in full swing, and shock wave therapy is emerging as a potential treatment to slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Five years ago, Hans-Jürgen experienced his first symptoms of Alzheimer’s. He struggled with finding the right words and had difficulty orienting himself. Upon hearing about shock wave therapy, his partner Gabriele reached out to the Bonn University Hospital, where Alzheimer’s patients are treated with transcranial pulse stimulation (TPS) in an effort to halt the disease’s advancement. Hans-Jürgen’s condition improved after undergoing this shock wave therapy. He reported feeling clearer in his head, and Gabriele also noticed positive changes, including improved word-finding abilities and a renewed interest in reading.
During shock wave therapy, the patient’s head is precisely measured, and pulse waves are then passed through the skull to stimulate the brain regions affected by Alzheimer’s up to a depth of eight centimeters. Professor Ullrich Wüllner, a neurologist and director of the clinic for neurodegenerative diseases at the University Hospital of Bonn, explains that these ultra-short shock waves can cause cellular changes in the brain, which researchers hope will positively influence the progression of Alzheimer’s.
Although Wüllner has treated 50 patients with shock wave therapy so far, large-scale studies are still needed to prove its effectiveness. The therapy is currently used for individuals with mild to moderate dementia and must be repeated every six weeks. Unfortunately, health insurance companies do not cover the costs of the treatment due to the lack of scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness. Nevertheless, stopping the progression of dementia would be a significant advancement in the treatment of Alzheimer’s.
Apart from shock wave therapy, the pharmaceutical industry is also focusing on antibodies to combat Alzheimer’s. Antibodies like lecanemab and donanemab have shown promise in removing harmful protein deposits in the brain and slowing down the progression of the disease. However, there have been reports of serious side effects such as brain swelling and cerebral hemorrhage, indicating the need for further research and personalized medicine tailored to individual patients.
In order to achieve better treatment results, Wüllner emphasizes the importance of diagnosing dementia at an earlier stage. The disease is already active in the body for decades by the time symptoms appear, with deposits forming in the brain and triggering secondary changes like inflammatory reactions. Initiating antibody therapy as early as possible, ideally in a presymptomatic stage, seems to be crucial for its effectiveness.
The number of people affected by dementia continues to rise, with estimates suggesting that the number could reach 2.8 million in Germany by 2050. While there is no cure in sight yet, early diagnosis and targeted therapies have the potential to significantly improve the lives of those affected by Alzheimer’s.
For Hans-Jürgen and Gabriele, everyday life has become easier since starting shock wave therapy. Hans-Jürgen’s orientation has improved, allowing Gabriele to relax and regain confidence. While there is still a long way to go in the hunt for memory against Alzheimer’s, these advancements offer hope for a better future.]
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