Deep Brain Stimulation Influences Brain Structure in Alzheimer's Disease

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Neurology
• Medical Technology

Background:

• Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) modulates brain circuits for neurological disorders.
• Current evidence does not show DBS counteracting neurodegeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate if fornix DBS affects brain structure in Alzheimer's Disease (AD).
• Hypothesize that DBS can influence structural changes in AD patients.

Main Methods:

• Structural MRI assessed hippocampal, fornix, and mammillary body volume changes over one year in six AD patients receiving DBS.
• Deformation-based morphometry identified whole-brain structural changes.
• Volumetric changes were correlated with hippocampal metabolism and compared to a matched control group (n=25).

Main Results:

• Bilateral hippocampal volume increases observed in two patients with the best clinical response.
• Mean hippocampal atrophy was significantly slower in the DBS group versus controls.
• DBS-associated volume changes correlated with metabolism and circuit-wide effects, with local volume expansions in AD-atrophied regions.

Conclusions:

• First in-human evidence suggests DBS may influence the course of brain atrophy in neurodegenerative diseases.
• Fornix DBS shows potential beyond modulating neural activity, possibly impacting neurodegenerative progression.