China bans Alzheimer's surgery over safety concerns

The National Health Commission (NHC) of China on Tuesday issued a prohibition on clinical application of the neck surgery for Alzheimer's disease treatment, citing unproven efficacy and potential safety risks.

Expert evaluations concluded that the surgical technique remains in early-stage clinical research and lacks clearly defined indications, contraindications, or robust evidence demonstrating therapeutic safety and effectiveness, the NHC stated in an official notice.

The procedure, called "lymphatic-venous anastomosis", connects the patient's lymph vessels to veins near the neck, speeding up the flow and drainage of lymph fluid. Supporters of the surgery believe it could boost the removal of harmful proteins, including beta-amyloid, from the brain, thereby slowing the progression of Alzheimer's disease.