Treatment of Alzheimer's symptoms: a webinar by Prof. Ulrich Sprick provides convincing arguments for TPS
Prof. Dr Ulrich Sprick (Head Physician of the Outpatient Centre at Alexius/Josef Hospital in Neuss, Germany) spoke in a live webinar organised by STORZ MEDICAL on the topic of »Transcranial Pulse Stimulation (TPS) – an innovative method for treating symptoms of Alzheimer's disease«.
In his lecture, Prof. Sprick explained the scientific background and provided detailed insight into his positive practical experience with TPS using current case studies.
TPS in combination with MRI navigation offers numerous advantages
According to Prof. Sprick, a major advantage of Transcranial Pulse Stimulation (TPS) compared to other brain stimulation methods is that »you can stimulate not just superficially but can also go deeper«. In combination with MRI navigation, TPS enables exceptionally precise application of the stimulation pulses – both cortically and subcortically, and individually tailored to the patient's brain.
Important differences to conventional ultrasound stimulation
TPS uses shock waves. Prof. Sprick explained that, while these are related to ultrasound waves, TPS is fundamentally different compared to conventional ultrasound stimulation. Ultrasound is characterised by a continuous wave with numerous oscillations. »This cancels out a large part of the effect while also generating heat«, Prof. Sprick said. TPS involves very short, singular pulses (with a duration of 3-5 microseconds) followed by a lower amplitude tensile wave. »The asymmetric pulse shape ensures that successive pulses do not compensate for each other, and that a high-pressure, low-tension interaction is created.« As a result, there is no tissue heating.
Current case studies: Significant improvements after TPS
Finally, Prof. Sprick presented his practical experience with TPS. To date, he and his team have treated about 50 Alzheimer's patients. »After 6 sessions within 14 days we already start seeing very interesting effects. We see improvements in about 60 to 65 percent of patients, sometimes very significant improvements, sometimes even striking improvements«, said Prof. Sprick, illustrating this with two current case studies.
The first case study was a 65-year-old female Alzheimer's patient with pronounced executive function deficits (problem solving, planning and implementing plans). As a result of TPS treatment, there was a significant improvement in executive functions in the colour-word interference test (Stroop Test), which tests specific aspects of selective attention based on the recognition of the colour of words presented. After the 6th stimulation, the test score (execution speed and correctness) was half of the baseline value. As a result of a booster session after 2 months, the score improved by a further 20% – »a very significant result«, said Prof. Sprick. No side effects were noted.
The second case study involved a 63-year-old male patient with typical Alzheimer's symptoms: memory deficits, reduced executive functions, and a pronounced speech disorder. The patient was only able to articulate single sounds (no words or sentences). In addition, he was in a wheelchair and could no longer walk or stand independently. After the 4th TPS session, the patient already showed very significant improvement in his motor skills and speech. Except for a slight stutter, he was able to speak normally again. Since he could also now walk and stand on his own, he no longer needed a wheelchair. No side effects were noted in this case, either.
Source
Prof. Dr Ulrich Sprick: »Transcranial Pulse Stimulation (TPS) – an innovative method for treating symptoms of Alzheimer's disease«. Webinar (organisation: STORZ MEDICAL AG), 1 June 2022.
