Hong Kong researchers advance Alzheimer’s treatment race
SCMP · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong researchers at the Chinese University of Hong Kong are conducting clinical trials of a surgical procedure for Alzheimer’s disease after securing ethics approval last year. The treatment is being tested under controlled conditions as scientists worldwide continue searching for ways to cure, prevent or slow the disease.
Key Points
- Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, and scientists around the world are pursuing cures, prevention and drugs to delay or slow symptoms.
- Dementia affects nearly one in 10 Hongkongers aged over 60, giving any major breakthrough potentially wide public health and socio-economic impact.
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong is running trials of a procedure that drains abnormal tau and myeloid protein build-up in the brain.
- The operation was pioneered by a mainland doctor in Hangzhou in 2018, but mainland authorities later banned unregulated hospital use pending safety and efficacy clarification.
- A joint CUHK-Hospital Authority clinical research ethics committee approved the trial last year, and four suitable patients have been recruited so far.
Why It Matters
If the procedure is shown to be safe and effective, it could improve patients’ ability to manage basic daily needs and remain socially engaged.
For Hong Kong, even incremental progress against Alzheimer’s could ease pressure on families and carers while carrying broader implications for ageing, health care demand and life expectancy.