Shanghai Doctor Tests Ultrasound for Alzheimer's Treatment

When Sun Bomin treated his mother's movement disorder with focused ultrasound, he never expected it might help her Alzheimer's too. But a month after the procedure, his 90-year-old mother began recognizing family again and performing mental tasks she hadn't managed in years.

Sun, who directs the Center for Functional Neurosurgery at Shanghai's Ruijin Hospital, watched his mother gradually lose herself to Alzheimer's over eight years. She forgot relatives' names, lost track of time, and barely responded to major family events. Then came the unexpected turnaround following her dystonia treatment in 2024.

Inspired by her improvement, Sun launched a clinical trial in 2025 to test high-intensity focused ultrasound specifically for Alzheimer's patients. Seven people with moderate to severe cases now wear helmets that emit ultrasound waves, guided by real-time MRI scans to reach deep brain structures. The vibrations may reorganize disordered neural circuits or clear abnormal protein deposits, though Sun admits the exact mechanisms remain unknown.

The early results show promise. One participant who couldn't care for herself before treatment now handles household tasks independently, searches contacts on her phone, and has returned to hobbies like singing. Some patients show marked improvement while others experience relapses, and questions about treatment duration and optimal intervals remain unanswered.

Why This Inspires

What makes Sun's approach remarkable is its simplicity. While international research focuses on low-intensity ultrasound to open the blood-brain barrier for drug delivery, Sun uses ultrasound alone as the therapy itself. It's a bold departure that could mean safer, more accessible treatment for millions.

China is home to nearly 17 million people living with Alzheimer's and related dementias. Current treatments only slow progression, never reversing it. Sun's mother's ability to subtract by sevens again, a standard cognitive test, represents the kind of improvement families dream about.

The research is still early, and Sun hasn't yet published his findings in peer-reviewed journals. But his willingness to explore unconventional paths, inspired by his own mother's experience, shows how breakthroughs sometimes arrive from unexpected places.

For families watching loved ones slip away to Alzheimer's, Sun's trial offers something precious: hope grounded in real observation and careful science.