Member-only story

New Treatment for Alzheimerā€™s & Other Neurological Diseases (trials)

It could have potential for Parkinsonā€™s too

Photo by Stefano Bucciarelli on Unsplash

Read for free here

A new study has shown that inhaling Xenon gas, a very expensive type of gas, could offer a treatment for Alzheimerā€™s and other neurodegenerative diseases, perhaps including Parkinsonā€™s.

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: ā€˜It is a very novel discovery showing that simply inhaling an inert gas can have such a profound neuroprotective effect.ā€™

ā€˜One of the main limitations in the field of Alzheimerā€™s 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€¦

--

--

Parkinsonā€™s and neurological disease
Parkinsonā€™s and neurological disease

Published in Parkinsonā€™s and neurological disease

About living with Parkinsonā€™s and neurological disease

Susie Kearley šŸ¹ Guinea pig slave
Susie Kearley šŸ¹ Guinea pig slave

Written by Susie Kearley šŸ¹ Guinea pig slave

Freelance journalist UK. Published in BBC Countryfile, The Mirror, Britain mag etc. Covers writing, health, psychology, memoir, current affairs, & environment.

Responses (5)