国家卫健委叫停一项阿尔茨海默病治疗手术

Core Viewpoint - The National Health Commission of China has suspended the use of "Cervical Deep Lymphatic-Venous Anastomosis (LVA)" for Alzheimer's disease treatment due to concerns over its safety, efficacy, and lack of high-quality evidence supporting its clinical application [1][9][10] Group 1: Treatment Overview - Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative condition characterized by cognitive impairment and emotional disturbances, leading to significant declines in daily functioning [2] - Traditional treatments primarily involve medication, but drug development for Alzheimer's has been slow, with only a few new drugs approved in the last two decades [2][3] - LVA surgery aims to connect lymphatic vessels to nearby veins to facilitate the drainage of harmful proteins from the brain, potentially improving cognitive function [3][8] Group 2: Clinical Application and Controversy - The LVA procedure has been performed in over 130 hospitals across 28 provinces in China, with more than 200 Alzheimer's patients treated at one hospital alone [3][4] - Despite its growing popularity, the LVA treatment remains controversial and is considered to be in the early exploratory stage of clinical research [4][9] - Patient feedback on the effectiveness of the LVA surgery is polarized, with some reporting improvements while others see no significant benefits [5][6][7] Group 3: Regulatory Response - The National Health Commission's decision to halt the procedure reflects a commitment to patient safety and the need for rigorous evidence before clinical application [1][10] - The Commission has mandated local health authorities to investigate the use of LVA and ensure that medical institutions cease its application until further evidence is available [9][10] - Future clinical research on LVA will be guided by the availability of sufficient preclinical evidence and ethical review [9][10]