Xenon is a noble gas commonly used in aerospace and lighting. It has been recognized in medicine for decades as an anesthetic and has recently gained attention for its neuroprotective effect in depression, brain injury, and panic disorders. The gas is also currently investigated for its potential in preventing many neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic neurodegenerative illness primarily associated with amyloid-β and tau protein depositions, which build up and form neurotoxic plaques and tangles in the brain. This disrupts nerve cell communication and leads to cell degeneration. Most of the drugs currently used to treat Alzheimer’s are developed to slow down the progression of the disease rather than reverse its effects. Several anti-amyloid drugs have been approved in recent years to reduce amyloid plaques and have modest effectiveness.
Currently, no drugs are available to treat microglia, the brain’s immune cells responsible for clearing debris and infections. However, Modulating microglia presents a possible clinical management strategy, though no market-approved drugs exist for this purpose.
A study conducted by Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Washington University explored the activity of xenon gas in mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease. The study demonstrated that xenon gas treatment significantly reduced brain atrophy and neuroinflammation while enhancing cognitive task-related behaviors, such as nest-building activity.
The researchers tested xenon’s effects using a mouse model of acute neurodegeneration. They placed mice with various Alzheimer’s disease models into a custom-designed chamber and inhaled air containing 30% xenon gas for 40 minutes. After the treatment, the researchers examined its impact on cells affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
Key findings of the study are:
Compared to traditional drugs, xenon penetrates the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and directly targets neuronal and immune cells. Xenon appeared to activate microglia and clear away amyloid plaques significantly better, thus enhancing cognitive performance. Exposure to xenon led to reduced neuroinflammation and decreased tissue loss in the brain.
Based on these promising results, scientists are now conducting human clinical trials at Brigham and Women’s Hospital to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of xenon in humans. In the first trial, they enrolled healthy volunteers, ensured safe doses of xenon, and tracked the side effects.
The future research direction is to investigate the multiple applications of xenon with specific emphasis on potential therapeutic use for treating multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and other neurodegenerative eye disorders.
If clinical trials test the effectiveness of xenon, it can transform Alzheimer’s treatment by offering a new method that strengthens the brain’s immune system rather than targeting amyloid buildup. Moreover, scientists are also improving the optimization of delivery techniques for xenon with greater affordability and efficiency.
If this study succeeds, it could reform treatment options for several neurologic conditions, says Howard Weiner, Co-director of the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases and the trial’s principal investigator. This highlights xenon’s potential impact.
However, more research should be conducted to determine the enormous potential of xenon gas in the battle against Alzheimer’s disease. Its neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties could offer hope to millions of individuals worldwide.
Reference: Brandao W, Jain N, Yin Z, et al. Inhaled xenon modulates microglia and ameliorates disease in mouse models of amyloidosis and tauopathy. Sci Transl Med. 2025;17(781). doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.adk3690
