ECP trial in 190 patients reports gains in memory and thinking in early Alzheimer’s cases

A multi-center randomized trial highlighted by ScienceAlert reported encouraging results for enhanced external counterpulsation, or ECP, in 190 patients with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s disease or mild Alzheimer’s disease. The report said about 84% of participants showed improvement in memory and thinking during treatment, while roughly 75% remained above baseline six months after therapy stopped. The 12-month study used a sham-controlled design, with the full-pressure group receiving 150–300 mmHg synchronized to the cardiac cycle and the control group receiving about 25 mmHg without synchronization. In time-averaged assessments from weeks 12 to 24, the full-pressure group outperformed the sham group on ADCS-ADL and VADAS-cog, and the reported benefit persisted through week 52. ScienceAlert also cited Renew Research’s Jack Juni, who said about 78% of patients improved from baseline after six months and that the average cognitive score gain was about 5 points. The study was funded by Renew Research, some authors had company ties, and the report noted diagnostic and regulatory limits, including the lack of equivalent U.S. FDA clearance for the Cerezen device.