Heat Therapy for Alzheimer's Prevention

(FIGHT-AD Trial)

Overseen By Jill Morris, PhD

Age: 65+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Kansas Medical Center

Must not be taking: Psychoactive, Investigational

Disqualifiers: Type 1 diabetes, Cancer, HIV, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

Duration: 10 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether heat therapy can improve how the body and brain process sugar, potentially preventing Alzheimer's in older adults. Participants will soak in warm water (water immersion heat therapy) to assess its effects on metabolism and brain health. Two groups will be compared: one experiencing heat therapy and the other in a neutral temperature. This trial suits individuals aged 65 or older with stable medication use and a history of conditions like metabolic syndrome or Type 2 Diabetes. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research that could enhance health outcomes for older adults.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but it requires that your medication doses have been stable for more than one month before joining.

What prior data suggests that water immersion heat therapy is safe for older adults?

Research has shown that hot water therapy is generally safe. In one study, participants who soaked in hot water for 12 weeks walked farther and had lower resting blood pressure, with no major side effects. Another small study found that heat therapy might benefit older adults at risk of Alzheimer's, again without serious problems.

Some indirect evidence also suggests that regular sauna use, which involves similar heat exposure, might lower the risk of Alzheimer's. This indicates that heat therapy could be safe for brain health.

Overall, studies suggest that heat therapy is safe for most people, but individuals should consider their own health conditions before joining any trial. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about water immersion heat therapy for Alzheimer's prevention because it offers a unique, non-drug approach to potentially reducing the risk of this condition. Unlike standard treatments that typically involve medications targeting neurotransmitter levels or plaques in the brain, this therapy focuses on increasing body temperature with 40.5°C water, which could enhance brain health by improving circulation and reducing inflammation. This method could offer a safer, more accessible alternative for individuals looking to prevent Alzheimer's without the side effects associated with pharmaceuticals.

What evidence suggests that water immersion heat therapy is effective for Alzheimer's prevention?

Research has shown that heat therapy can benefit brain health by boosting metabolism and blood flow. A small study found encouraging results for older adults at risk for Alzheimer's disease, suggesting that soaking in hot water might help manage blood sugar levels. In this trial, participants in the Heat Therapy Group will experience water immersion at 40.5°C. Other studies have found that regular sauna use is linked to a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's. Heat therapy has also improved blood vessel function and reduced insulin resistance, which occurs when the body doesn't respond well to insulin. These improvements in energy processing may support better brain health. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Jill Morris, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Kansas Medical Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for people aged 65 or older who are cognitively healthy but at risk for Alzheimer's Disease. They should have stable medication doses, be post-menopausal, and may have a history of metabolic issues like pre-diabetes. Those with Type 1 Diabetes, high cardiovascular risk without clearance, certain chronic diseases, heat intolerance conditions or recent heart problems cannot join.

Inclusion Criteria

I have a history of or currently have a metabolic condition like pre-diabetes or Type 2 Diabetes.

I have gone through menopause.

I am 65 years old or older.

Exclusion Criteria

I have not had a heart attack or heart disease symptoms in the last 2 years.

I do not have severe depression, use psychoactive drugs, or have major hearing or vision problems.

I cannot have an MRI or have a pacemaker that needs clearance.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo 10 weeks of heat therapy to improve blood and brain glucose metabolism

10 weeks

3 visits per week (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Water Immersion Heat Therapy

Trial Overview The study tests if water immersion heat therapy can improve blood and brain glucose metabolism in older adults to prevent Alzheimer's Disease. It will also explore how these changes might benefit overall brain health and body metabolism.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Heat therapy Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

40.5°C water

Group II: Thermoneutral Control Group Placebo Group 1 Intervention

36°C water

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Kansas Medical Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

527

Recruited

181,000+

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Collaborator

Trials

1,841

Recruited

28,150,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7792844/

Heat therapy: possible benefits for cognitive function and the ... The purpose of this review is to highlight how heat therapy may mitigate the age-dependent declines in metabolism, vascular function, and mitochondrial quality ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6965159/

Could Heat Therapy Be an Effective Treatment for Alzheimer's ... Intriguingly, the incidence of Alzheimer's disease has recently been shown to be reduced in people who undertook moderate to frequent sauna bathing (Laukkanen ...

3. journals.physiology.org journals.physiology.org/doi/10.1152/japplphysiol.00396.2024

Improving glycemic control via heat therapy in older adults ... Our pilot study demonstrated promising results for heat therapy (HT) via hot water immersion in older adults at risk for Alzheimer's disease due to metabolic ...

4. journals.physiology.org journals.physiology.org/doi/abs/10.1152/japplphysiol.00168.2020

Heat therapy: possible benefits for cognitive function and ... Heat therapy has been independently shown to reduce whole body insulin resistance, improve vascular function, activate interorgan cross talk via endocytic ...

5. alzdiscovery.org alzdiscovery.org/uploads/cognitive_vitality_media/Cold_water_immersion_%28non-pharmacological%29.pdf

Cold-water immersion Neuroprotective Benefit: There is no clinical evidence to suggest that CWI can improve cognition or prevent neurodegenerative disease or decline. Studies have ...

6. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1934148217300096

Case Report: Aquatic Therapy and End-Stage Dementia To our knowledge, we present the first case report of the use of aquatic therapy for an individual diagnosed with end-stage Alzheimer disease and severe ...