The goal of this project is to determine whether low doses of ionizing radiation (LDIR)
from repeat CT scanning improves function, cognition and/or behavior in severe AD.

Low Dose Ionizing Radiation Using CT Scans as a Potential Therapy for Alzheimer's Dementia: A Pilot Study

Dementia Alzheimers

Alzheimer's dementia (AD) is a disorder of uncertain cause and pathogenesis that
primarily affects older adults. It accounts for more than 50 percent of cases of dementia
in the elderly and is a leading source of morbidity and mortality in the aging
population. The most essential and often earliest symptom is selective memory impairment.
While treatments can improve some symptoms, there is no cure or disease-modifying
therapy, and the disease inevitably progresses in all patients. The mainstay of
management is still symptomatic treatment of behavioral disturbances, environmental
manipulations to prevent behavioural disturbances, and counseling with respect to safety
issues.

The goal of this project is to determine whether low doses of ionizing radiation (LDIR)
from repeat CT scanning improves function, cognition and/or behavior in severe AD. This
is based upon the treatments given in 2015 to a patient in hospice in the USA with
advanced AD. On July 23, she received two CT scans of her brain. Two weeks later she
received a third CT scan, and two weeks after this, a fourth CT scan. She partially
improved and was discharged to an Alzheimer care home.

In terms of the mechanism whereby CT scanning might lead to improvement, reactive oxygen
species (ROS) are produced abundantly and constantly by aerobic metabolism in all
organisms, damaging biomolecules including those in the brain. AD is postulated to be
caused by the accumulation of oxidative stress damage in the brain that was not
prevented, repaired or removed by the patient's own biological protective mechanisms.
These systems, characterized genetically, operate against all toxins regardless of
whether they are produced endogenously or by external physical, chemical or biological
agents. As people age, their protection systems become progressively weaker. LDIR is
postulated to stimulate adaptive protection systems. This may produce beneficial effects
including improvement in AD symptoms. With about three-quarters of human tissue being
water, most of the initial radiation-induced damage is radiolysis of water, producing ROS
and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). LDIR leads to mild oxidative stress and strong signaling,
which up-regulates protection.The degree of stimulation likely depends upon individual
genetic factors.

CT scans are approved for clinical diagnostic imaging. Approval will be requested from
the Research Ethics Board (REB) at Baycrest Health Sciences and from Health Canada to use
CT scanning for the experimental treatment of AD. If this pilot study is successful,
i.e., if improvement is observed in the participants, then a proposal will be prepared
for more comprehensive clinical studies of this novel treatment.

CT scan

Low Dose Ionizing Radiation Using CT Scans as a Potential Therapy for Alzheimer's Dementia (LDIR-CT-AD) Trial: A Pilot Study

is a specific scale for the functional assessment of people with Alzheimer Disease. A
number of specific descriptions of performance levels for each item is offered, and the
caregiver is asked to identify the one that most accurately describes the patient's
performance . The scale consists of 16 items for the assessment of ADL, i.e. 6 items for
BADL, 10 for IADL. items are scored from 0 to 4: 0 = no impairment, 1 = mild impairment,
2 = moderate impairment, 3 = severe impairment and 4 = nonassessable, with a range from 0
to 30. BADL items are scored from 0 to 5: 0 = no impairment, 1 = mild impairment, 2 =
moderate impairment, 3 = severe impairment, 4 = very severe impairment and 5 =
nonassessable, with a range from 0 to 24. In each part, the 'nonassessable' answer is
substituted by an estimation from the average of the responded items. The total score
(IADL + BADL) ranges from 0 to 54 (from best to worst).

Investigator

The Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Index (CMAI) is a caregivers' rating questionnaire
consisting of 29 agitated behaviours, each rated on a 7-point scale of frequency. It
assesses the frequency of agitated behaviours in elderly persons in the long-term care
setting.

Three participants with severe Alzheimer's dementia will be studied

Low Dose Ionizing Radiation Using CT Scans as a Potential Therapy for Alzheimer's Dementia: A Pilot Study

About this trial

Study ID

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Placebo

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Trial Timing

What is this trial about?

What are the participation requirements?

Locations

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