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Omental Transplantation May Improve Alzheimer's Symptoms
A DGReview of :"Omental Transplantation for Alzheimer's Disease"
Neurology India
03/05/2001
By Elda Hauschildt
Omental transplantation on the optic chiasma, carotid bifurcation and anterior perforated space may improve some symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
Success depends on the clinical stage of the disease, say researchers from the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico.
They hypothesized that acetylcholine, dopamine, serotonin and other neurotransmitters may be reduced in the sub-cortical regions even in the early stages of Alzheimer's.
Based on their previous clinical experience with omental transplantation to the encephalon in patients with ischemic infarcts, the researchers transplanted omental tissue in the region of optic chiasma and anterior perforated space in a woman with Alzheimer's disease.
The aim of the procedure was to increase revascularization of the cholinergic nuclei in the patient.
Clinical improvement began three days after surgery. "After 15 days, smell, taste, posture and her walk were almost normal. Moreover, she experienced relief from her symptoms of recent memory and specific cognitive dysfunction," they note.
A year after surgery, the patient had "only slight to moderate deterioration of her specific cognitive functions". She was capable of undertaking some daily living activities.
"Omental tissue placed on these surgical areas promotes the neo-formation of blood vessels over underlying and adjacent nervous tissue, and through these vascular connections, the sub-commissural regions and medial temporal lobes receive an increase in blood flow, oxygen, neuro-transmitters and neurotropic factors," investigators conclude.
"With this surgical technique we can improve the function of the residual nervous tissue in the ischemic area and ischemic penumbra."
A clinical study of 60 Alzheimer's patients showed that 19 had mild, 30 moderate and 11 advanced Alzheimer's.
"In all cases with mild Alzheimer's, CT scans were normal or there was normal-for-the-age cerebral atrophy. By contrast, in moderate or advanced stages, there was moderate to severe diffuse cerebral atrophy, associated with dilation of the ventricular system," investigators found.
Neurology India, 2000; 48: 319-321.
"Omental Transplantation for Alzheimer's Disease"
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