Description:
The current state of the art
The current treatment option for Alzheimer’s disease and aging related dementia are focused on the alleviation of symptoms and managing cognition. Degeneration of cholinergic neurons is one of the mechanisms leading to cognition declination. Therefore, aging and Alzheimer’s dementia is commonly treated with cholinesterase inhibitors such as galantamine, rivastigmine, or donepezil.
The problems with the current art
Although the extended time of action of acetylcholine in the central nervous system can improve cognition. systematic cholinesterase inhibitors caused serious sides effects including vomiting, fall, nausea, fainting, sudden movement and even death, because acetylcholine also acts in peripheral nervous system.
The advantages of our invention
The scientist at AU developed a system and method to use deep brain stimulation of the nucleus basalis (NB) of Meynert to intermittently stimulate the central nervous system, inducing the production, release and secretion of acetylcholine and improve cognition. In five adult Rhesus monkeys, the intermittent NB stimulation improve working memory. In the months after stimulation began, working memory continued to improve in sessions without stimulation. Therefore, the current technology can be a promising therapy to restore cognitive function in aging and Alzheimer’s dementia.
AURI # 2015-011
IP status: US non-provisional patent application 15/361148
Publication: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28823679