It is estimated that 35 million people worldwide, including 5.4 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease. These figures are predicted to triple in one generation and the financial burden in the U.S. alone is around $200 billion dollars. A successful clinical Harvard trial now promises new hope for Alzheimer’s patients and their families worldwide.

The trial was performed at one of Harvard Medical School’s teach hospital, the Berenson-Allen Center for Noninvasive Brain Stimulation at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston and was directed by Professor of Neurology, Alvaro Pascual-Leone of Harvard Medical School. The team tested a non-invasive, novel technology called the NeuroAD Medical Device, which simultaneously combines electromagnetic brain stimulation with cognitive training on a computer screen that are targeted at specific brain regions affected by the disease.

Interim results have been outstanding and are in line with outcomes from previous clinical trials performed in Israel. The NeuroAD system demonstrated that it not only prevented the deterioration of the disease in patients, it also managed to improve their cognitive performance by more than currently possible with approved medications.

Prof. Pascual-Leone said:

“It is a completely new and different approach, safe, noninvasive, and painless. Tests have shown significant improvement of cognitive functions, and we’ve seen increased connectivity in the brain in functional MRI scans. As a result, patients’ daily activities, such as taking care of themselves, speaking, and even recognizing their loved ones, has improved dramatically. This far exceeds what is currently available with medications today. New ideas for treatment which show such promise are very rare indeed, so we are very optimistic.”

Eyal Baror, CEO of Israel-based Neuronix, the company behind the NeuroAD technology, added: “Wherever we go, physicians are eager to hear about this new technology because nothing else is available to help patients. NeuroAD is CE certified and we are aiming at FDA approval. It is a real game-changer for the management of Alzheimer’s disease; hence we plan to start two more clinical trials in the U.S. before the end of this year.”

At this moment in time there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, and although a few drugs are available to relieve some of the symptoms, their benefit typically dissolves within 6-9 months of treatment. NeuroAD has demonstrated higher benefits and long-term results and can be used in conjunction with these therapies.

Written by Petra Rattue