Since it was first discovered more than 100 years ago, Alzheimer’s disease has been without an effective treatment. Worldwide, nearly 44 million people are believed to be living with the brain disorder or other forms of dementia. By 2030 this could rise to nearly 76 million according to the US-based BrightFocus Foundation.

But the outlook may not be so bleak if the findings of a small US pilot study are anything to go by. Scientists at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging and the University of California, Los Angeles have discovered that lifestyle and wellness interventions have reversed memory loss in patients with Alzheimer’s disease for the first time. Although the results are anecdotal, the findings are “very encouraging” says study author and neurology professor Dr Dale Bredesen.

Individualised intervention
As part of the trial, a group of experts put together a 36-point plan for 10 patients with Alzheimer’s. The plans included taking up yoga and meditation twice a day to reduce stress, exercise and getting an optimal seven to eight hours of sleep. They also comprised strict diet changes, including fasting (see SB14/4 p50).

Each plan was personalised, based on extensive testing to determine what was affecting brain signals in each patient. Although the programmes were difficult to follow – none of the participants were able to fully adhere to them – Bredesen believes a multiple-component approach is key. “The existing Alzheimer’s drug affects a single target, but the disease is more complex,” he says. “Imagine having a roof with 36 holes, and your drug patched one very well... You’d still have 35 other leaks, and so the underlying process may not be affected much.”

Promising results
The results were promising, with nine out of the 10 patients seeing advancements in three to six months. The only patient not to benefit had late-stage Alzheimer’s.

Such were the improvements that six participants, who’d been struggling at work or had to stop because of cognitive issues, were able to return to their jobs. Meanwhile, those who stayed in employment showed increased performance. Bredesen adds: “It’s noteworthy that the major side effect of this therapeutic system are improved health and body mass index: a stark contrast to the side effects of many drugs.”

Further research
Overall, the results suggest that memory loss may be reversed, and improvements sustained, by following a tailored therapeutic plan. Yet Bredesen cautions that further research is needed.
“The current, anecdotal results require a larger trial, not only to confirm or refute the results reported here, but also to address key questions raised, such as the degree of improvement that can be achieved routinely, how late in the course of cognitive decline reversal can be effected... and how long improvement can be sustained,” he says.