Alzheimer's Disease: A Decreased Cerebral Blood Flow to Critical Intraneuronal Elements Is the Cause.

Normally, an adequate cerebral blood flow arrives at individual cerebral neurons in which the blood flow augments activity of intraneuronal mitochondria, which is the source of intraneuronal ATP, the energy source of cerebral neurons. With a decrease in cerebral blood flow that can occur as a function of normal aging phenomena, less blood results in decreased mitochondria, decreased ATP, and a decrease in neuronal activity, which can eventually lead to Alzheimer's disease. It has been found that placement of the omentum directly on an Alzheimer's disease brain can lead to improved cognitive function.

Potential improvement of survival statistics for glioblastoma multiforme (WHO IV).

The present-day treatment of a glioblastoma multiforme IV (glioblast) is by surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Unfortunately, the current treatment has not significantly improved the survival statistics of this tumor. There are now two relatively new surgical procedures that may improve the survival statistics of this malignancy.

Benefit of omental blood flow in Alzheimer's disease: effect on deteriorating neurons.

It has been commonly believed that a decrease in cerebral blood flow (CBF), which routinely occurs in Alzheimer's disease (AD), results from the death of critical intracerebral neurons that no longer require the maintenance of an adequate blood supply. This belief is presently being challenged by the idea that it is not neuronal death that causes a decrease in CBF, but actually a decrease in the CBF which leads to the death of neurons seen in AD. In association with dead neurons located within the AD brain are varying numbers of deteriorating neurons.

Pyloric valve transposition as substitute for a colostomy in humans: a preliminary report.

Background: The purpose of this article was to show that a transposed pyloric valve (PV) can be mobilized to the perianal region and can function as a replacement for an excised rectal sphincter. Surgical research on animals has shown that a vascularized PV can be taken out of gastroduodenal continuity, transposed to the pelvic region with maintenance of fecal control when positioned in the anal area.

Methods: The surgical procedure has recently proved successful in humans in which the distal end of the left colon was anastomosed to the proximal end of the transposed PV with the distal end of the PV sutured to the skin in the perianal area as the replacement for an excised rectal sphincter.

A new approach to the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: the need for a controlled study.

It has been widely believed that decreased cerebral blood flow (CBF), known to occur in Alzheimer's disease (AD), is the result of neuronal degeneration that causes a decrease in the need for adequate CBF. There is new interest in the idea, however, that it is not neuronal degeneration that leads to decreased CBF to critical neurons, but it is the decrease in CBF which is the cause of the neuronal deterioration seen in AD patients. In order to increase CBF to the AD brain, an operation called omental transposition has been developed in which an intact elongated omental pedicle, when placed directly on the brain, provides additional CBF and other biological nutrients to the brain.

Treatment of communicating hydrocephalus by a lumbo-omental shunt: case report.

Based on preliminary experiences from the early 1970s, a patient with chronic and severe communicating hydrocephalus has been successfully treated with transposition of an omental pedicle to the lumbar subarachnoidal space. This patient, who suffered from congenital toxoplasmosis, at the age of 29 years had undergone no fewer than 82 shunt revisions. In the 5-year follow-up after treatment, she has had no further surgery or other treatment.

Can the standard treatment of acute spinal cord injury be improved? Perhaps the time has come.

Objectives: To present additional surgical maneuvers that might lead to improved results in the treatment of acute spinal cord injuries (SCI).

Methods: Techniques are presented that allow the dura mater to be widely opened over a traumatized spinal cord, thus limiting the opportunity for extrusion of edematous spinal cord material. Additionally, placement of an intact omental pedicle over a traumatized SCI allows absorption of spinal cord edematous fluid.

Spinal cord separation: MRI evidence of healing after omentum-collagen reconstruction.

Introduction: Animal experimentation has demonstrated that omental-collagen bridge reconstruction of a transected spinal cord in cats can result in the growth of axons crossing the transection site which resulted in the return of motor and sensory activity. This paper raises the possibility that a comparable spinal cord reconstruction model could be possible for human application.

Methods: Cats had their spinal cord transected at the T-9 level.

The evolution of omentum transposition: from lymphedema to spinal cord, stroke and Alzheimer's disease.

It is now well established that the omentum incorporates into its tissues a variety of biological factors that exert a favorable effect on the central nervous system. Physiological characteristics of the omentum include edema absorption, fibrotic inhibition, blood-brain barrier penetration and, of major importance, angiogenic activity. Over several decades, studies have shown increasing clinical uses of the omentum following its placement on various structures within the body.

Omental transposition to the brain as a surgical method for treating Alzheimer's disease.

The purpose of this study was to learn the effect of omental transposition to the brain of patients who exhibited the most serious effects of long-standing Alzheimer's disease. Ten patients who had extremely low Mini Mental-State Examination scores of 2-14 underwent placement of their elongated pedicled omentum onto their left parietal-temporal cerebral cortex. Patients underwent pre- and post-operative MRI and SPECT scans in addition to long-term neurological and neuropsychological testing.