Alzheimer's Surgery: An Overview of Treatment Methods and New Directions

Alzheimer's disease is a neurological disorder characterized by memory loss and cognitive impairment due to the damage and death of nerve cells over time. Today, there is no definitive cure for Alzheimer's disease, but various treatment methods are used to slow the progression of the disease and manage symptoms. One of these treatment options is surgical interventions. However, surgery for Alzheimer's is often different from traditional surgery and has evolved in recent years through various research.

What is Alzheimer's Surgery?

Surgical interventions in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease are usually applied in the early stages of the disease to improve the patient's quality of life and slow down the progression of the disease. However, Alzheimer's-specific "surgery" is not yet used as a standard treatment. Instead, some surgical procedures are used to alleviate the symptoms of the disease or to intervene in changes in the brain.

Surgical Methods Used in Alzheimer's Treatment

1. Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
   Deep brain stimulation is a widely used method for Parkinson's disease and some other neurological disorders, and is also being investigated in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. This method regulates neurological activity by sending electrical impulses to specific areas of the brain. In Alzheimer's patients, DBS can be applied to strengthen neural connections, especially in areas related to memory and cognitive functions.

Although deep brain stimulation has the potential to alleviate the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, it is still in the research phase and has not found wide application in general therapeutic practice.

2. Stem Cell Therapy
   Stem cell therapy is one of the potential future surgical approaches to Alzheimer's treatment. With this method, stem cells from the patient's body or from outside the body can be transplanted into the affected area of the brain to replace damaged brain cells. The stem cells can be stimulated to produce new healthy cells in the damaged area of the brain.

Although stem cell therapy holds great promise for treating Alzheimer's, its clinical applications are limited and more research is needed.

3. Brain Surgery and Amyloid Protein Removal
   One of the main causes of Alzheimer's disease is amyloid beta plaques that accumulate in the brain. These plaques damage nerve cells, leading to the progression of the disease. Some surgical research aims to surgically remove these plaques from the brain. However, such surgical interventions are still in the experimental phase and no definitive conclusions have been reached on their effectiveness.
4. Immunotherapies
   Surgical and pharmaceutical treatments have also been developed to activate the immune system against Alzheimer's disease. These treatments aim to remove plaques in the patient's brain and prevent the accumulation of harmful proteins in the brain. Immunotherapies combined with surgery are an area with the potential to prevent the disease from progressing.

The Limits of Surgery in Alzheimer's Treatment

• No Definitive Treatment: There is no surgical treatment for Alzheimer's and surgery can only temporarily relieve symptoms or slow progression.
• Side Effects and Risks: Surgical interventions always carry a risk of complications. Treatments such as deep brain stimulation or neurosurgery can lead to unwanted side effects and their effectiveness may be different for each patient.
• Under Research: Surgical interventions used in the treatment of Alzheimer's are mostly in the research phase and their long-term effectiveness is not yet fully known.

Alternative and Supportive Methods

In addition to surgery, medication and lifestyle changes play an important role in Alzheimer's treatment. Drug therapies for Alzheimer's patients are aimed at alleviating symptoms and can help stop or slow the progression of the disease. In addition, lifestyle changes such as physical and mental exercises, a balanced diet and social interaction can improve the overall health of patients.