This Heart Treatment From The 1970s Could Also Improve Memory in Alzheimer's Patients

Key Points:

• External counterpulsation (ECP), a non-invasive treatment originally developed for heart failure, has shown promise in improving cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment or early Alzheimer's disease by enhancing blood flow to the brain.
• A randomized clinical trial involving 190 patients demonstrated that 78-84% of those receiving full-pressure ECP experienced significant cognitive improvements over six months, with benefits persisting up to six months after treatment ended.
• The trial highlighted improvements in memory, attention, language, reasoning, and daily activities, suggesting a strong link between vascular health and Alzheimer's disease, though the exact mechanisms remain under investigation.
• Despite promising results, skepticism remains due to the involvement of private industry funding and the need for larger, longer-term studies; the Renew Cerezen™ ECP device is certified in the EU but has not yet received FDA approval in the US.
• Renew Research has urged the FDA to approve the device based on the trial's positive outcomes, emphasizing the favorable benefit/risk profile compared to existing Alzheimer's treatments, with regulatory decisions pending.