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New brain reperfusion rehabilitation therapy improves cognitive impairment in mild Alzheimer’s disease: a prospective, controlled, open-label 12-month study with NIRS correlates

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Abstract

Background and aims

A large body of evidence indicates that cerebral hypoperfusion is one of the earliest signs in the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The aim of our study was to evaluate whether the brain reperfusion rehabilitation therapy (BRRT) would improve verbal memory and learning and/or global cognitive impairment in mild AD.

Methods

Using a prospective, controlled, open-label 12-month study, we enrolled 15 patients with mild AD, who underwent BRRT program (BRRT group), and 10 age–sex-matched mild AD patients, who received no treatment (control group). At baseline (T0), and at the end of the 3 months (T3), 6 months (T6) and 12 months (T12) participants from both groups were given an evaluation, using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT). In both groups by using near-infrared spectroscopy, at T0 and T12, we measured tissue oxygen saturation (TOI) on temporal–parietal and frontal cortex of both sides.

Results

Ten patients from the BRRT group and 10 from the control group completed the 12-month follow-up. At the end of rehabilitation protocol, a significant improvement of MMSE and RAVLT was observed in the BRRT group as compared to control group. At T12 compared to T0, a significant improvement of TOI on frontal cortex of both sides was observed in the BRRT group as compared to control group.

Conclusion

BRRT improves verbal memory–learning and global cognitive impairment which are associated with increased TOI values on frontal cortex of both sides.

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Acknowledgments

Special thanks are due to Paolo Viola for his technical assistance in conducting this research.

Conflict of interest

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dementia Assessment Unit, Department of Neurology, S. Pio Hospital, via C. De Lellis, 66054, Vasto (CH), Italy

    S. Viola, M. P. Buongarzone, L. Fiorelli & P. Litterio

  2. Emergency Medical Service, S.C. De Lellis Hospital, Atessa (CH), Italy

    P. Viola

  3. Rehabilitation Center, Health District, Ortona (CH), Italy

    F. Mattucci

Authors
  1. S. Viola
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  2. P. Viola
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  3. M. P. Buongarzone
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  4. L. Fiorelli
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  5. F. Mattucci
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  6. P. Litterio
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to S. Viola.

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Viola, S., Viola, P., Buongarzone, M.P. et al. New brain reperfusion rehabilitation therapy improves cognitive impairment in mild Alzheimer’s disease: a prospective, controlled, open-label 12-month study with NIRS correlates. Aging Clin Exp Res 26, 417–425 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-013-0185-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-013-0185-8

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