Research

Could inhaling xenon gas help treat Alzheimer’s? A new mouse study suggests it might

A medical device used for xenon therapy. Adobe
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The gas xenon, like the other noble, or inert, gases, is known for doing very little. The class of elements, because of its molecular structure, don’t typically interact with many chemicals. 

But a new mouse study shows one possible use case for xenon — as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. The paper, published Wednesday in Science Translational Medicine, shows the potential of inhaled xenon to activate the brain’s immune cells, called microglia, to break down plaques that are a hallmark of Alzheimer’s as well as reduce inflammation in the brain. While the study was conducted in mice, it has already inspired a Phase 1 clinical trial, which is currently recruiting patients and set to start this year.