Xiaohong Fu, Jing Zhang, Qiuxia Xiao, Tingting Li, Qijun Li, Shaofu Zhang, Wen Zeng, Min Gong, Pan Cai, Zhaojian Deng, Xuan Zhang, Yuanjun Xin, Li Su, Xuan Tian, Kaifeng Wu, Liulin Xiong
INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated the efficacy of deep cervical lymphatic-venous anastomosis (dcLVA) for severe Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS: A total of 139 severe AD patients undergoing dcLVA were enrolled, and changes in cognitive function and biomarkers were evaluated by comparing preoperative measures with postoperative outcomes over a 6-month follow-up period. RESULTS: Patients undergoing dcLVA showed modestly elevated Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores from 48 hour postoperatively to 6-month follow-up. At 6-month, observable changes across functional status and neuropsychiatric symptoms were documented, as demonstrated by reductions in scores on the Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scale, Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Caregiver Distress (NPI-D), and Sleep Disorders Inventory (SDI). Biomarker analyses revealed decreased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) β-amyloid (Aβ) 42, Aβ40, and p-Tau levels postoperatively, along with increased plasma concentrations of these markers. No deaths or serious procedure-related adverse events occurred during 6-month follow-up. DISCUSSION: These findings suggest that dcLVA may confer multifaceted clinical benefits in severe AD patients, including attenuation of certain neuropsychiatric dysfunctions and a potential slowing of symptom progression.