Emerging Hope in the Fight Against Dementia and Parkinson’s Disease
Over the past decade, significant strides have been made in understanding and potentially reversing the effects of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, Frontotemporal Dementia, Lewy Body Dementia, and Parkinson’s Disease. Traditionally, these conditions have been linked to the accumulation of three primary proteins: amyloid in Alzheimer’s, tau in Frontotemporal Dementia, and alpha-synuclein in Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson’s. These proteins clump around neurons, disrupting their ability to send clear messages and contributing to cognitive and motor decline.
Recent research has revealed that while clearing these proteins remains a focus, another vital factor may be at play: Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). BDNF is crucial for nerve plasticity, allowing the brain and spinal cord to adapt to injury and replace damaged tissue. Studies have consistently shown that BDNF levels are significantly reduced in individuals suffering from these diseases—especially in the hippocampus, the brain's center for memory, emotion, and learning.
When researchers attempted to treat this deficiency by administering purified BDNF, it failed—primarily because BDNF cannot cross the blood-brain barrier. However, when patients received neural stem cells, something remarkable occurred. These stem cells naturally produced BDNF, rebuilt neural pathways in the hippocampus, and, in some cases, restored memory—even though the underlying protein tangles remained unchanged.
This therapeutic approach was applied to three patients with different types of dementia. All were over 80 years old and suffering from severe cognitive decline. After treatment with neural stem cells through the vertebral vascular system, two of them experienced a complete resolution of symptoms within 16 weeks. The third showed significant improvement in speech and comprehension, though short-term memory issues persisted.
In parallel, similar breakthroughs are being explored in Parkinson’s Disease (PD)—the second most common neurological disorder in the U.S., characterized by tremors, shuffling gait, mental decline, constipation, and balance issues. Traditionally, treatment has centered around dopamine-replacement drugs, which slow disease progression but often struggle to cross the blood-brain barrier. Over time, patients require higher doses, with diminishing effects. The standard treatment of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s are basically Pharmaceutical based. They really just show the disease progressing so if you are looking to actually improve or get better you may need to look at fixing the genetics or biochemistry aspect of the disease.
The root problem in Parkinson’s, as some research indicates, lies in alpha-synuclein—a protein that becomes misfolded due to genetic or environmental factors and begins to destroy dopamine-producing nerve cells. This not only impacts dopamine levels but also disrupts the brain’s ability to conduct electricity, essential for function.
A new wave of treatment combines stem cells and exosomes, showing promise in rebuilding nerve sheaths and restoring function. One male patient treated with this method experienced nearly five months of symptom-free living. Another female patient, using only an oral medication (approved for M.S. but rarely used in Parkinson’s), saw dramatic improvements in tremors, memory, energy, and overall balance within 12 weeks.
In perhaps the most striking case, an elderly man with both Parkinson’s and Lewy Body Dementia—which typically carries a life expectancy of 3–5 years—was treated with stem cells, exosomes, and the same oral drug. Within three months, he became alert, regained memory, and returned to near-normal function.
These cases, while anecdotal, underscore a growing body of evidence that targeting the brain’s regenerative capacity, rather than just attacking toxic proteins, may open the door to reversing neurodegeneration. The work is ongoing, but the outlook is becoming more hopeful than ever.
John Young, M.D.
727-545-4600 YoungFoundationalHealth.com
