No evidence that Alzheimer's can be transmitted through surgery

This study has made a possible link in four cases of specific treatment with growth hormone before 1985, but it is important not to jump to conclusions about what this important, but small, research study might mean.  There has never been a proven case of transmission by neurosurgery. Modern surgical equipment in the UK is very safe and the NHS has extremely stringent procedures to make sure of this. These include using single-use instruments where possible, and developing special equipment that reduces the risk of contamination. If single-use instruments cannot be used, then there are processes in place to track the use of specialist equipment. NHS procedures have improved significantly since the 1970s and 1980s, which is when patients in this study contracted CJD. Procedures in the NHS now are extremely safe and patients are well protected.  Might Alzheimer's disease be transmitted by blood transfusion or use of other blood products? This research only relates to treatment by injection with human pituitary-derived growth hormone. Published studies have looked at this question but have found no evidence that blood transfusion is a risk. Links To The Headlines Alzheimer's disease may be caught through medical accidents. The Telegraph, September 9 2015 Study finds seed of Alzheimer's may have spread in medical procedure. Mail Online, September 9 2015 'Transmittable Alzheimer's' concept raised. BBC News, September 9 2015
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Neurology QA articles Source Type: news