The purpose of this study is to test a new procedure to treat Alzheimer's disease. The procedure is called intermittent Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) of the nucleus basalis of Meynert. There will be up to six participants enrolled at Wellstar MCG Memory Clinic. There will be another six participants similarly enrolled to act as a control group that does not receive DBS. This second group will document the course of progression of Alzheimer's disease under the normal standard of care. The main goal of the study is to determine if DBS can sustain or improve cognition in Alzheimer's disease for at least two years. Participant data, with identifying information removed, may be shared with online repositories for comparison with trials with similar subjects.
Age:65 minimum
Age:85 maximum
Probable, early-stage Alzheimer's Disease, as defined by NIA-AA 2018 criteria and positive PET for beta amyloid,
no Lewy-Body-dementia or other form of dementia
• clinical co-morbidity interfering with study (e.g. head trauma requiring medical treatment in the 2 years prior, brain tumor, subdural hematoma, or other clinically significant space-occupying lesion on brain CT or MRI), or other implant precluding high field MRI scans.
current major psychiatric disorder such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder based on psychiatric consult at screening visit, or past medical history prior suicidal attempts or suicidal crises
Another concurrent CNS condition (ie, stroke, Parkinson's disease, Lewy-Body dementia or other form of dementia, other evidence of significant structural brain pathology).
Medical history of seizure disorder including epilepsy