Treatment of Alzheimer Disease With CT Scans

Abstract

Alzheimer disease (AD) primarily affects older adults. This neurodegenerative disorder is the most common cause of dementia and is a leading source of their morbidity and mortality. Patient care costs in the United States are about 200 billion dollars and will more than double by 2040. This case report describes the remarkable improvement in a patient with advanced AD in hospice who received 5 computed tomography scans of the brain, about 40 mGy each, over a period of 3 months. The mechanism appears to be radiation-induced upregulation of the patient’s adaptive protection systems against AD, which partially restored cognition, memory, speech, movement, and appetite.

Treating Alzheimer's Dementia With CT-Induced Low-Dose Ionizing Radiation: Problematic, Yet Potential for More Precise Inquiry

“…The report fails to acknowledge alternate hypotheses and confounding variables (eg, possible effects of altering the patient’s daily routine, enriching the patient’s environment via contact with novel surroundings and people, incurring exercise, etc), all of which have been shown to affect cognitive function in persons with dementia. 7 Furthermore, the report’s claims of “remarkable improvement” 1 is based solely upon what appears to be weak qualitative evidence as acquired and provided by individuals within—or closely connected to—the patient’s family, incurring considerable potential for bias (which was neither addressed nor counterbalanced/controlled). Although the report states that cognitive assessments were conducted, specific information (ie, type of test[s], schedule of pre- vs post-CT scan testing, detailed presentation of testing method, and results) pertinent to and supportive of the rigor, validity, and value of such evaluations was not provided.…”

“…A recent single-case report by Cuttler et al claimed that administration of low-dose ionizing radiation (LDIR) via computerized tomographic (CT) scanning of the brain afforded considerable amelioration of signs and symptoms of advanced Alzheimer’s dementia in an 81-year-old female patient. 1 Employing what seems to be implicit ex juvantibus reasoning ( note 1 ), the report asserts that the patient showed notable improvement in memory, speech, movement, and appetite, which are claimed to be due to LDIR induction of adaptive mechanisms. These claims might serve to instigate additional research to study LDIR to advance approaches that are relevant to applications in clinical neurology.…”

Association of Radon Background and Total Background Ionizing Radiation with Alzheimer’s Disease Deaths in U.S. States

“…Cranial irradiation of a mouse AD model reduced beta amyloid plaques in the brain and improved cognitive functioning [10]. An 81-year-old woman with AD improved after 5 computer tomographic scans of the brain, about 40 mGy irradiation each, over a period of 3 months [11].…”

Response to Commentary: Treating Alzheimer Dementia With CT-Induced Low-Dose Ionizing Radiation: Problematic, Yet Potential for More Precise Inquiry

“…Progressive recovery was reported by the caregivers and by the patient’s friends and family who had been visiting the patient. 2 The patient had a major setback after the fourth treatment on October 1, 2015, from which she recovered within weeks. On November 20, 2015, she was discharged from hospice to an Alzheimer care home.…”

“…In their commentary, 1 Raynor and Giordano make statements that ignore evidence and content of the case report. 2 They refer to the therapy as a case study , misrepresenting the fact that it clearly describes a husband’s attempt to save the life of his 81-year-old wife. She was admitted to hospice on April 8, 2015, with advanced Alzheimer dementia (AD), with a life expectancy of less than 6 months.…”