STAGE 1: Comprehensive Diagnosis
Our diagnosis integrates the gold-standard Western neurological workup with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome assessment:
| Diagnostic Method | Purpose | Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Neurological Exam (Neurology Consult) | Onset/progression, neurological deficit, caregiver interview | Western |
| MMSE + MoCA Cognitive Testing | Global cognition, vascular-pattern cognitive assessment | Western |
| Extended Neuropsychological Battery | Memory, executive function, attention, language, visuospatial | Western |
| Behavioral & Mood Scales | Depression, apathy, irritability, sleep disorders | Western |
| Laboratory Panel | CBC, metabolic, coagulation, inflammatory markers, infections | Western |
| MRI 3.0T (T1, T2, FLAIR, DWI, SWI) | White matter lesions, atrophy pattern, microbleeds, infarcts | Western |
| Vascular Assessment (USDG/MRA/CTA) | Carotid stenosis, cerebrovascular pathology, intracranial vessels | Western |
| EEG (if indicated) | Rule out epileptiform activity | Western |
| PET-CT (if indicated) | Amyloid PET, FDG-PET for metabolic patterns | Western |
| TCM Tongue & Pulse Diagnosis | Syndrome pattern: kidney essence, blood stasis, phlegm | TCM |
| TCM Constitutional Assessment | Guides acupuncture protocol and herbal prescription | TCM |
STAGE 2: Multidisciplinary Treatment
The treatment goal: slow disease progression, prevent new vascular events, improve cognitive function and quality of life, manage behavioral symptoms.
Vascular & Pharmacotherapy
- Blood pressure control: Target <130/80 mmHg for vascular dementia prevention
- Antiplatelet therapy: Aspirin, clopidogrel — reduces further microvascular infarcts
- Lipid management: Statins — reduces atherosclerotic progression
- Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors: Donepezil, rivastigmine — improves cognitive symptoms
- NMDA antagonists: Memantine — slows moderate-severe Alzheimer's progression
- Neuroprotectives: Brain metabolic support agents
Behavioral & Non-pharmacological Management
- Psychological counseling for patient and family
- Safe environment design consultation
- Art therapy, music therapy
- Cognitive training: memory, executive function programs
- Individualized physiotherapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), speech therapy
- Dietary therapy and nutritional optimization
TCM Treatment
- Herbal medicine: Individual prescription based on syndrome (kidney essence deficiency + blood stasis/phlegm). Formulas with demonstrated cognitive benefits (Bushen Yizhi, Huangqi-based, Liuwei Dihuang variants)
- Acupuncture: Scalp acupuncture (cognitive/memory lines: Baihui, Sishencong, temporal zones); body points (Zusanli, Sanyinjiao, Neiguan)
- Moxa therapy: Tonifies kidney Yang and essence — the TCM root of cognitive decline
- Tuina: Head and neck massage to improve lymphatic and blood circulation to brain
- TCM dietary therapy: Kidney-nourishing foods (walnuts, black sesame, goji), brain-clearing foods, avoid phlegm-generating foods
Innovative: Lymphatic Anastomosis for Alzheimer's
Eber Medical Group offers deep cervical lymphatic venous anastomosis as a surgical approach to enhance brain glymphatic clearance of amyloid-beta and tau — the pathological proteins driving Alzheimer's disease.
Cost: ~300,000 CNY surgery + ~100,000 CNY first-month rehabilitation = ~400,000 CNY total.
STAGE 3: Monitoring & Caregiver Support
- Regular neurologist follow-up during treatment program
- Cognitive re-testing at 3 and 6 months
- Caregiver education: proper home care techniques, behavioral management
- Telemedicine follow-up for international patients
Alzheimer's / Vascular Dementia — FAQs
What is the 3-stage treatment protocol for Alzheimer's/vascular dementia?
Stage 1: Comprehensive diagnosis — neurological exam, MoCA/MMSE cognitive testing, MRI (Philips 3.0T with FLAIR/DWI/SWI protocols), vascular assessment (USDG/MRA), TCM diagnostic assessment. Stage 2: Multidisciplinary treatment — vascular pharmacotherapy, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, NMDA antagonists, neuroprotectives, behavioral management, cognitive training, TCM (acupuncture, herbal, tuina). Stage 3: Ongoing monitoring, caregiver education.
Does lymphatic anastomosis help Alzheimer's disease?
Deep cervical lymphatic venous anastomosis aims to enhance brain glymphatic drainage — the system responsible for clearing amyloid-beta and tau proteins that accumulate in Alzheimer's disease. By improving CSF outflow, the procedure may slow protein accumulation and disease progression. Cost: ~400,000 CNY for surgery + 1-month rehabilitation.
How does TCM help Alzheimer's and dementia?
In TCM, Alzheimer's corresponds to 'kidney essence deficiency with blood stasis and phlegm accumulation.' TCM treatment: scalp acupuncture (cognitive points: Baihui, Sishencong, temporal lines), herbal medicine (Bushen Yizhi formulas with evidence for cognitive effects), tuina to improve lymphatic and blood circulation, and dietary therapy. Integrated alongside Western pharmacotherapy.
What is the minimum stay for Alzheimer's/dementia treatment?
The diagnostic phase (Stage 1) requires approximately 1 week inpatient. A full treatment program typically runs 4–8 weeks for the initial course, with monthly follow-up programs thereafter. For lymphatic anastomosis patients: surgery (~1 week) + rehabilitation (1 month) = ~5–6 weeks total (~400,000 CNY).