Could a tiny dose of radiation help fight Alzheimer's?
NCT ID NCT03352258
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This pilot study tested whether a short course of low-dose radiation to the brain could reduce amyloid plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. Twenty people with early Alzheimer's and positive amyloid scans were enrolled. Half received radiation over 5 days, while the other half were followed as a comparison group. The goal was to see if the treatment was safe and could lower amyloid buildup on brain scans.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
low-dose radiotherapy (radiation to the brain)
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward a new way to reduce amyloid plaques in the brain and possibly slow Alzheimer's progression.
What could go wrong
This is a very small pilot study with only 20 people, so results may not apply widely. It's early research, and the treatment may not work or could cause side effects from brain radiation.
Disclaimer
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the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Geneva University Hospital
Geneva, 1211, Switzerland