Researchers claim to have found an innovative way to treat Alzheimer’s disease – a common type of dementia that afflicts 55 million people globally. Although there is no cure for this brain disorder, there are ways and means to manage the symptoms.

According to experts, the progress of treatment is also slow, because till now this complex disease has not been completely understood. Researchers are now looking at xenon – a colourless, odorless and tasteless gas that has neuroprotective effects. In a test at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, the gas showed positive effects on the brain when inhaled by rats. Now clinical trials on humans are going to start in the next few months.

How does xenon work?

According to the study, mice models of Alzheimer’s disease were treated with xenon gas, which has been used in human medicine as an anesthetic to treat brain injuries. Xenon gas penetrates the blood-brain barrier, entering the fluid surrounding the brain directly from the bloodstream.

The researchers said that inhaling xenon gas reduced brain atrophy and neuroinflammation and improved nesting behavior in an Alzheimer’s disease mouse model. It also induced and enhanced a protective microglial response that is associated with clearing amyloid and improving cognition.

“One of the main limitations in the field of Alzheimer’s disease research and treatment is that it is extremely difficult to design drugs that can cross the blood-brain barrier – but xenon gas does. We look forward to seeing this novel approach tested in humans,” said Dr. Oleg Butovsky, a neuroscientist and senior at the hospital and co-corresponding study author.

How is xenon used?

This study was published in the journal Science Translational Medicine showed that rats suffering from Alzheimer’s who inhaled xenon in a custom chamber had less brain inflammation, less brain cell loss, and better cognitive function while building their nests. “If the clinical trials go well, the opportunities for use of xenon gas are very good,” said study co-author Dr. Howard Weiner, principal investigator of the upcoming trial. “This could open the door to new treatments to help patients with neurological diseases.”

What is Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimer’s is a brain condition that causes progressive decline in memory, thinking, learning and organization skills and ultimately affects a person’s ability to carry out basic daily activities.

Alzheimer’s symptoms worsen over time and according to experts, the disease process begins at least ten years or more before the first symptoms appear. AD most commonly affects people over the age of 65.

Symptoms and signs of Alzheimer’s disease

The signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease vary depending on the stage of the condition. Some common symptoms include:

• memory loss
• Having difficulty finding the right words to express thoughts
• Losing or misplacing more items than usual
• Having trouble making plans
• having difficulty solving problems
• taking longer to complete routine daily tasks
• Having difficulty recognizing friends and family
• urinary incontinence
• sleep is disturbed
• Experience greater personality changes, including becoming agitated or acting out
• Needs help with self-care, such as bathing, grooming, bathing, and using the bathroom

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