China Halts Experimental Alzheimer’s Surgery, Leaving Patients in Limbo

China’s health authorities have imposed an immediate ban on an experimental surgical technique for Alzheimer’s disease, known as cervical deep lymphatic-venous anastomosis (LVA), following its rapid adoption by hundreds of hospitals across the country despite a lack of scientific proof regarding its safety and efficacy. The National Health Commission declared LVA as an unproven experimental therapy, instructing all hospitals to halt the procedure and provide follow-up care to those who have already undergone the surgery. The order was issued due to concerns that the practice was spreading far more quickly than the supporting science justified, sparking confusion and disappointment among affected families who had pinned their hopes on the procedure as a last resort against the debilitating illness[para. 1][para. 2][para. 3].

Families like that of Liu Le, whose grandfather was scheduled for LVA just days before the ban, experienced significant distress, having considered the procedure a beacon of hope after months of research and preparation. Many believed LVA could potentially halt or even reverse Alzheimer’s progression, expectations heightened by a lack of effective alternatives for the disease in China, which has the world’s largest Alzheimer’s population. However, the regulator had to intervene given the absence of convincing clinical evidence[para. 4][para. 5].

Originally, LVA is a microsurgery designed to treat lymphedema by improving drainage through connecting small lymphatic vessels to veins in the neck. The theory behind its use for Alzheimer’s rests on the notion that such improved drainage could accelerate the removal of toxic proteins (amyloid-beta and tau) from the brain, potentially slowing cognitive decline. Despite these theoretical benefits and strong patient demand, the gap between hypothesis and proof remains significant[para. 6][para. 7][para. 8].

Days before the formal notice, rumors of a potential ban circulated as some hospitals ceased LVA operations based on verbal instructions from authorities, while others continued as part of clinical trials. At one major hospital in Harbin, a doctor expressed regret, citing nearly 200 performed cases with reported improvements in 80% to 90% of patients, though these claims lacked rigorous scientific backing[para. 9][para. 10].

The use of LVA for Alzheimer’s emerged after a Hangzhou microsurgeon, Xie Qingping, observed improved cognition in a patient undergoing the procedure for another purpose. His 2022 publication of a successful case attracted a media frenzy and patient interest, with the surgery being hailed as a “miracle” despite skepticism from mainstream experts, who pointed to the complete absence of a global scientific consensus on Alzheimer’s mechanisms and treatment[para. 11][para. 12][para. 13][para. 14].

For some, such as Fang Fang’s mother, the surgery proved disastrous, leading to rapid cognitive decline and severe behavioral symptoms. Experts noted that most evidence supporting LVA consists of anecdotal family reports rather than standardized medical assessments or biomarker analyses. Top neurologists have warned that excessive or premature adoption of unverified therapies constitutes a direct harm to patients[para. 15][para. 16][para. 17].

The unchecked spread of LVA was enabled by regulatory loopholes, with hospitals internally approving the procedure due to the lack of formal national restriction, resulting in departments lacking neurology experience performing the surgery and risking misdiagnosis or inappropriate intervention. The national ban seeks to address these dangers with warnings of “serious punishment” for future violations, emphasizing patient safety and the need for evidence-based practice above public demand[para. 18][para. 19][para. 20][para. 21][para. 22][para. 23][para. 24][para. 25][para. 26][para. 27][para. 28].