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Deep Brain Stimulation shows promise for
Patients with A
lzheimer’s
Newswise, August 2010 — In a world first,
Dr. Andres M. Lozano and his team at Toronto
Western Hospital have shown using Deep Brain
Stimulation (DBS) on patients with early
signs of Alzheimer’s disease is safe and may
help improve memory.
The phase one safety trial of six Ontario
patients took place from 2005 to 2008. All
patients left hospital within 2 to 3 days of
surgery, and continue to participate in
regular follow-up cognitive assessments.
Throughout these assessments, Dr. Lozano
says half the patients continue to perform
better than predicted – that is – their
memory capacity has improved, or
deteriorated less than expected.
“While the study was not looking for
efficacy, the results suggest that of the
six patients, three may have done better
than if the Alzheimer’s disease was allowed
to run its course,” commented Lozano.
“We showed that not only is this a safe
procedure, but that the evidence is there to
warrant a bigger trial. Any amount of time
that extends quality of life and quality
years to someone with Alzheimer’s may be a
benefit.”
Dr. Lozano first discovered the potential
for DBS to treat Alzheimer’s disease while
treating a patient for obesity using DBS
back in 2003.
While signaling areas of the brain, Dr.
Lozano and his team triggered memories in
the patient. In follow-up testing the
patient’s memory improved and Dr. Lozano set
in motion the first ever DBS trial of
patients with early signs of Alzheimer’s
disease.
“We’ve demonstrated this is safe, and that
the evidence warrants more study. We’re now
planning a phase two, multi-centred trial -
we’re just waiting on the funding,” says Dr.
Lozano.
Results of Dr. Lozano’s trial are published
in Annals of Neurology. Anyone interested in
more information about participating in the
next phase please visit:
http://www.uhn.on.ca/Focus_of_Care/KNC/Functional_Neurosurgery/research.asp.
There is a form interested applicants can
print and fax in.
About Toronto Western Hospital
Each year through it’s Krembil Neuroscience
Program, the Toronto Western Hospital treats
more than 30,000 patients and 2,500
neurosurgical operations are performed.
The Krembil Neuroscience Centre is one of
the largest combined clinical and research
neurological facilities in North America.
The Toronto Western Hospital is a member of
the University Health Network, which also
includes the Toronto General Hospital and
Princess Margaret Hospital. All three are
research hospitals affiliated with the
University of Toronto.
About University Health Network
University Health Network consists of
Toronto General, Toronto Western and
Princess Margaret Hospitals. The scope of
research and complexity of cases at
University Health Network has made it a
national and international source for
discovery, education and patient care. It
has the largest hospital-based research
program in Canada, with major research in
transplantation, cardiology, neurosciences,
oncology, surgical innovation, infectious
diseases, and genomic medicine. University
Health Network is a research hospital
affiliated with the University of Toronto.
For more information please visit
www.uhn.ca
About Toronto General and Toronto Western
Hospital Foundation
Toronto General & Western Hospital
Foundation raises funds for research,
education and the enhancement of patient
care at Toronto General Hospital and Toronto
Western Hospital as well as for their
respective research arms, Toronto General
Research Institute and Toronto Western
Research Institute. The Foundation’s vision
is to enable global leadership and
innovation in health by developing and
sustaining strong relationships with
University Health
