A new study published in the Journal
of Alzheimer’s Disease showed remarkable improvements in behavior and
cognition in patients with severe Alzheimer’s following low-dose radiation
treatment.
Morris Freedman, M.D., scientist at Baycrest’s Rotman
Research Institute, and head of the neurology division, and senior author of
the study said, “The primary goal of a therapy for Alzheimer’s disease should
be to improve the patient’s quality of life. We want to optimize their well-being
and restore communication with family and friends to avoid social isolation,
loneliness, and under-stimulation. Although the study was a small pilot and
should be interpreted with caution, our results suggest that low-dose radiation
therapy may successfully achieve this.”
In 2015, a case report suggested a patient in hospice with
Alzheimer’s disease showed signs of improvement after being treated several
times with low-dose radiation to her brain. Her cognition, speech, movement,
and appetite were all improved. The patient was eventually discharged from
hospice and admitted to a long-term care facility for seniors.
While high doses of radiation are known to create harmful
effects on our health, low-dose radiation used in CT scans, for example, can
help the body protect and repair itself.
Jerry Cuttler, Ph.D., a retired scientist of Atomic Energy in
Canada, has been studying the effects of radiation on health for over 25 years.
“Numerous neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, are thought to
be caused in part by oxidative stress that damages all cells, including those
in the brain. We have natural protection systems to combat the damage, but they
become less effective as we get older. Each dose of radiation stimulates our
natural protection systems to work harder – to produce more antioxidants that
prevent oxidative damage, to repair more DNA damage, and to destroy more
mutated cells,” he said.
In the study, four individuals suffering from severe
Alzheimer’s disease were treated with three low doses of radiation spaced two
weeks apart. The researchers utilized standardized tests in addition to
observation to record patient changes in communication and behavior following
treatment. They also collected personal artifacts such as photos, videos, and
descriptions from the patients’ family members.
Within one day of the first treatment, three out of four
individuals showed improvements such as increased alertness and responsiveness,
recognition of loved ones, mobility, social engagement, heightened mood, and
more.
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Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative
Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.