Eugene R. Moore

Treatment of Alzheimer Disease With CT Scans A Case Report

Alzheimer disease (AD) primarily affects older adults. This neurodegenerative disorder is the most common cause of dementia and is a leading source of their morbidity and mortality. Patient care costs in the United States are about 200 billion dollars and will more than double by 2040. This case report describes the remarkable improvement in a patient with advanced AD in hospice who received 5 computed tomography scans of the brain, about 40 mGy each, over a period of 3 months. The mechanism appears to be radiation-induced upregulation of the patient’s adaptive protection systems against AD, which partially restored cognition, memory, speech, movement, and appetite.

Second Update on a Patient With Alzheimer Disease Treated by CT Scans

This is the second update on an 81-year-old female patient who in April 2015 was in the final stages of advanced Alzheimer disease (AD) in hospice care. Her husband searched to find a remedy for her illness. After reviewing evidence of upregulation of biological protection systems by low doses of ionizing radiation, he arranged for his wife to receive a series of standard computed tomography (CT) scans to image her brain. A case report described the procedure and the patient’s partial recovery from AD symptoms. It covered the period from April to December 2015. A subsequent letter to the editor summarized the patient’s ongoing condition, from January until December 2016, during which she received additional “booster” CT scans. These were intended to prolong her recovery and delay the inexorable progression of AD. The letter also mentioned that her husband, with Parkinson disease (PD), requested a series of CT scans to remedy the symptoms. These scans began on October 6, 2015. This second letter to the editor outlines the experiences during 2017 of the patient with AD, who is now 83, and the patient with PD. Back on December 13, 2016, the patient with AD received a CT scan. On 16th, she fed herself with a spoon and opened her mouth to accept food. She gave smiles, drank glasses of juice by herself, and gave 1-word answers. A physical therapist reported some improvement in her functioning shortly after this scan. In 2017, the patient received 2 booster CT scans, a double scan (80 mGy) on January 24 and a single scan (40 mGy) on July 25. On February 4, a major improvement was noted in her attempts to put words together. She gave many appropriate 1word responses, some 2-word responses, and some 3-word statements. However, this speaking ability gradually declined. She was still wheelchair bound but moved her feet to help propel it. On March 6, 2017, the physician and the patient’s husband decided to return the patient to hospice care. Over several months, she gradually lost her ability to swallow solid food and later could not swallow liquids, such as nutritional drinks. The patient would hold the liquid in her mouth, wanting to swallow, but unable to because her brain could not control those muscles. During this period of reduced food intake, her weight declined from 185 to 160 lbs. The caregiver began to feed the patient ice chips and found that it would trigger the swallow reflex. She was given frozen drinks, such as cola, and then blended mixtures of ice, fruit, and yogurt. On August 3, after the July 25 scan, no immediate physical improvement was noted, but the patient began to flash many smiles, repeatedly. On October 28, 2017, her 83rd birthday, the patient was able to chew and swallow chopped peaches at noon time. In the evening, she swallowed potato salad, watermelon, and pieces of cupcake. Through November, she continued to swallow solid food and appeared relatively happy, giving many smiles and laughter.

Update on a Patient With Alzheimer Disease Treated With CT Scans

This letter updates the April 2016 case report about an 81-year-old patient who was in the final stages of advanced Alzheimer disease (AD) in hospice care. A neuropsychologist examined her on May 21, 2015, and concluded that she was “completely nonresponsive.” Following treatment by 4 computed tomography (CT) scans of the brain from July to August 2015, the patient made a remarkable recovery. A fifth scan on October 1 caused a setback, from which she gradually recovered. On November 20, she was judged to be no longer eligible for hospice care because her condition was sufficiently improved. Since then, she has participated in a stimulating, dementia day care program. Photos on December 4, 2015, Figures 1 and 2, demonstrate restoration of appetite and responsiveness. Recognizing that the efficacy of the CT scan treatments would likely be transitory, the patient’s spouse requested ongoing booster scans every 4 to 5 months. These started on February 24, 2016, about 21 weeks after the October 1 treatment. Dr William D. MacInnes (note 1) reexamined the patient on April 15, 2016. His progress note states: