While experts in China and abroad were pessimistic about the prospects of treating Alzheimer's with chemical drugs, Chinese scholars recently developed the world's first Alzheimer's device that brings new hope for the world's 35.6 million patients. The device uses a physical approach and is a shot in the arm for the medical industry.

The device was a result of eight years of work by a scientific team headed by Sun Zuodong from Harbin Aobo Medical Apparatus Co, a national high-tech company. It passed expert review by the Heilongjiang Scientific and Technology Department on May 6, 2014. Experts concluded that the device filled a domestic void and is on a par with the world's cutting-edge technology. The device marks a breakthrough in treating Alzheimer's with long-term drug dependence and provides a new solution to the medical conundrum.

Commonly known as senile dementia, Alzheimer's is characteristic of progressive memory disorders, cognitive dysfunction, personality changes and speaking problems. The degenerative central nervous system disease affects nearly 35.6 million people worldwide, with an annual increase of 4.6 million new patients. China has 10 million Alzheimer's patients, and 30 percent of people above 80 years old suffer from the disease. A popular theory about its pathogenesis is that inactivated cholinergic brain nerve cells reduce synthesis, storage and release of acetyl choline. At present, there's no drug that can effectively prevent or delay the development of the disease.

The device was a major national science and technology research project during the 2011-2015 period. Sun Zuodong, founder of the “theory of brain activation,” has been committed to studies of complicated brain disease causes and prevention methods over the years. In the 1990s, Sun invented a brain function rehabilitation instrument that was successfully used for treating cerebral apoplexy, making Sun the first to apply endogenous neurotransmitters control technology to complicated encephalopathy treatment.

In 2011, the world's first Parkinson's and depression devices went into operation, filling a void in the medical industry worldwide. The cutting-edge technology involved offered new methods for treating major brain diseases and handing in a satisfactory “Chinese answer” to global medical problems. In 2013, the transcranial magnetoelectric encephalopathy device development and application project independently conducted by Harbin Aobo won the first prize at the Heilongjiang science and technology invention awards.

Sun Zuodong has nearly 20 years of experience in basic brain science theory research and clinical practice, and he put forward new ideas during the development process of the Alzheimer's device. He held that Alzheimer's and Parkinson's are caused by ion channel gating problems and could be settled through physical approach. Therefore, he concluded that activating neurotransmitters was the key to the problem, and targeted the voltage-gated Ca2+ channels to induce neuron axon terminal synaptic vesicles to release neurotransmitters.

Since being established in 2005, the Alzheimer's device project recently received the national medical device registration certificate after eight years of development, and the first batch of products have officially hit the market. The national clinical trials showed that the device can significantly improve memory, cognitive function and mental state of light and moderate Alzheimer's patients, and enhance their self-care abilities.

The device has two types, each for domestic and hospital use. The domestic type is easy to operate. Patients only need to use it twice a day and each session takes 30 minutes. It has been widely accepted by patients and their families thanks to its safety. It has no side effects and costs less than 10,000 yuan ($1,605). It can also offer preventive treatment for the middle-aged and the elderly.

Sun's creative achievements in the field of brain science have received widespread attention in China and abroad. Sun received the national “May 4 Medal for Outstanding Chinese Youth” and was selected in the national 10 Million New Century Talents Project. Sun enjoys special government allowances from the State Council thanks to outstanding academic contributions. His efforts also helped Harbin Aobo make great strides in studies of neurotransmitter regulation, neuron activation, nervous system repair and other basic brain theories, as well as in major encephalopathy rehabilitation equipment research and development. 

Founded in 1996, Harbin Aobo has transformed itself into a national high-tech enterprise with its sustainable scientific innovations. Its contributions to domestic brain health has encouraged the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the National Post-Doctor Regulatory Commission to approve the establishment of a post-doctoral work station at the company to integrate high-end talent cultivation with company development. The work station is the first of its kind in China's major brain disease rehabilitation and treatment equipment research and development.

Heilongjiang has been giving special attention and support to medical equipment development. As a leading high-tech medical equipment enterprise, Harbin Aobo independently developed the world's first Alzheimer device, marking a big step forward in Heilongjiang's medical equipment industry development and helping the province make inroads into international competitions.