Surgical advances in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: A comprehensive review

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, represents a significant global health challenge with profound implications for patients and their families. Despite decades of intensive research efforts, no curative treatment for AD currently exists. In recent years, surgical interventions have emerged as a promising therapeutic avenue, offering potential for disease modification and symptom management. This comprehensive review critically evaluates the evolving landscape of surgical approaches in AD treatment, encompassing deep brain stimulation, focused ultrasound, gene therapy delivery systems, neural grafting techniques, and lymphatic-venous anastomosis. We systematically analyze the neurobiological mechanisms, clinical efficacy, safety profiles, and technical challenges associated with these interventions. Drawing upon an extensive review of 112 recent studies, this article provides a rigorous assessment of the current state of surgical therapies for AD, while identifying key knowledge gaps and future research directions that could advance the field toward more effective therapeutic strategies.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; amyloid-β; lymphatic system; lymphatic-venous anastomosis; surgical; therapeutic.