Alzheimer's clinical trial launched
Published date : 08 August 2012
Article date : 08 August 2012
Researchers in the U.S. and Canada launched a clinical trial to evaluate deep-brain stimulation in the treatment of mild Alzheimer's disease. The study will engage 20 people, aged 55-80, with Medtronic's deep brain stimulation technology - surgically implanted devices similar to a cardiac pacemaker and that deliver electrical pulses to targeted areas of the brain.
The trial, conducted by Functional Neuromodulation Ltd., will use Medtronic's DBS therapy to target a specific area considered a "major inflow and output pathway in the brain's memory circuit."
Each patient in the study will receive the implant. Researchers will compare the effects of the implant turned on and turned off at random for a follow-up period of 12 months. Thereafter, patients with the device turned off may opt to activate their implants.
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