Memory LossA new study suggests deep brain stimulation may help patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease.

The paper, by researchers in Canada and reported on sciencedaily.com, showed subjects over age 65 who got the treatment — electrodes directed at a certain part of the brain — appeared to experience slower cognitive decline as a result of the treatment.

The study looked at 42 patients. Implanted electrodes were directed at the fornix, a bundle of nerve fibers in the brain that carry signals from the hippocampus, the area of the brain associated with memory.

Another finding was that the brain’s ability to metabolize glucose increased over the year-log study period in patients receiving the electrical stimulation, indicating that the brain networks made dysfunctional by Alzheimer’s improved in some ways.

The next phase of the study will look at the optimal dosage of the treatment.

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