Considerations of the Ischemic Basis and Therapy of Alzheimer Disease

Abstract

A recently presented concept of Alzheimer disease (AD) is based on a primarily ischemic (rather than degenerative) type of brain disease. Etiologically, this new concept is presumed to be related to the human upright gait along with individual predisposition.

The proposed treatment—head-down therapy (HDT)—is the centerpoint of this presentation: a simple and generally accessible type of therapy, with monitoring by neuropsychological questioning, electroencephalography, and transcranial Doppler. As a treatment of AD (limited to stage 1), HDT is expected to be helpful. It is possible, however, that its prophylactic use may be of even greater importance.