Deep Brain Stimulation in the Treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the leading neurological cause of dementia of advanced predominance worldwide. The pathogenic mechanisms may concern accumulations of beta amyloid and tau protein, inflammatory pathways, altered oxidative metabolism and responses to oxidative stress. The currently available therapeutic options for AD have limited efficacy. Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) may represent a chance in order to ameliorate cognitive performances modifying cortical and hippocampal circuits. Fornix and Nucleus basalis of Meynert are the most promising targets in terms of delaying and reversing the cognitive impairment; other targets like entorhinal cortex/hippocampus, pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus, anterior thalamic nucleus are under investigation with some success. The mechanism of action and stimulation parameters remain unclear.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, Brain neuromodulation, Deep Brain Stimulation, Fornix, Hippocampus, Nucleus basalis of Meynert.