Member-only story
New Treatment for Alzheimerās & Other Neurological Diseases (trials)
It could have potential for Parkinsonās too
A new study has shown that inhaling Xenon gas, a very expensive type of gas, could offer a treatment for Alzheimerās and other neurodegenerative diseases, perhaps including Parkinsonās.
Xenon is typically used as a rocket propellant or an anaesthetic and is sometimes used by athletes to enhance their performance.
The study by Mass General Brigham and Washington University School of Medicine carried out tests on mice, and the results are so good they are going straight to human trials within months.
Senior researcher, Dr Oleg Butovsky, said: āIt is a very novel discovery showing that simply inhaling an inert gas can have such a profound neuroprotective effect.ā
āOne of the main limitations in the field of Alzheimerās disease research and treatment is that it is extremely difficult to design medications that can pass the blood-brain barrier ā but xenon gas does.ā
Scientists found that mice administered 30% xenon gas once a week showed less inflammation in their brains and improved brain health. They were better at activities such as nest building and there was an immune boosting effect inā¦