{"id":"c3e6eaee-a6ab-458f-ab50-61991b08d161","slug":"alzheimers-disease-can-be-treated-why-the-delay","title":"Alzheimer’s disease can be treated: Why the delay?","authors":["Harry S. Goldsmith"],"abstract":"Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) has long been associated with amyloid deposition in the brain; however, recent findings challenge this notion. Studies indicate that amyloid plaques are present in both demented and nondemented individuals, suggesting that amyloid may not be the primary cause of AD. Additionally, a significant decrease in cerebral blood flow (CBF) has been observed in AD patients, raising the possibility that reduced CBF could be a contributing factor to the disease. Summary: Omental transposition (OT) has been proposed as a surgical approach to increase CBF in AD patients. Clinical studies have shown varying degrees of cognitive improvement following OT, particularly in patients with less severe dementia. The omentum's high vascular endothelial growth factor content may facilitate increased blood flow and potentially aid in amyloid absorption, presenting a novel avenue for AD treatment. Conclusion: The potential of OT to improve cognitive function in AD patients warrants further exploration, especially in light of prevailing beliefs that AD is untreatable. The ongoing focus on amyloid-targeting therapies may detract from innovative surgical approaches like OT, which could offer hope for patients with viable neurons still present in the brain. Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, cerebral blood flow, omentum transposition, cognitive function, amyloid, surgery, vascular endothelial growth factor, neurodegeneration","thumbnailUrl":null,"publishDate":"2017-07-07T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.4103/sni.sni_116_17","categories":["Inflammation","Editorial"],"fullTextUrl":"https://surgicalneurologyint.com/api/articles/c3e6eaee-a6ab-458f-ab50-61991b08d161/pdf"}