Cervical Lymphatic Microsurgery in Alzheimer's Disease

Participants assigned to this arm will undergo supermicrosurgical modification of cervical lymphatic drainage using lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) and/or lymph node-to-vein anastomosis (LNVA). The procedure may be performed manually or with robotic microsurgical assistance.

Supermicrosurgical modification of cervical lymphatic drainage by creation of lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) and/or lymph node-to-vein anastomosis (LNVA). Preoperative lymphatic and venous mapping is performed using ultra-high-frequency ultrasound and indocyanine green fluorescence imaging. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and may be carried out manually or with robotic supermicrosurgical assistance. The specific anastomotic technique and configuration are selected according to the identified lymphatic and venous anatomy.

• Lymph Node-to-Vein Anastomosis (LNVA)
• Lymphaticovenous Anastomosis (LVA)

Participants assigned to this arm will undergo clinical observation without surgical intervention during the first 12 months. After completion of the 12-month observation period, participants may elect to undergo the surgical procedure.

Change in plasma phosphorylated tau 217 (p-tau217) concentration from baseline to the 12-month follow-up. The change over time will be compared between the surgical intervention and control groups.

The Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB) score ranges from 0 to 18, with higher scores indicating greater cognitive and functional impairment and therefore a worse clinical outcome. Change in CDR-SB score from baseline to Month 12 will be compared between the surgical intervention and control groups. A positive change from baseline indicates worsening, whereas a negative change indicates improvement.

The 23-item Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study-Activities of Daily Living (ADCS-ADL) total score ranges from 0 to 78, with higher scores indicating better performance in activities of daily living and therefore a better functional outcome. Change in ADCS-ADL total score from baseline to Month 12 will be compared between the surgical intervention and control groups. A positive change from baseline indicates improvement, whereas a negative change indicates worsening.

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) total score ranges from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating better cognitive performance and therefore a better cognitive outcome. Change in MoCA total score from baseline to Month 12 will be compared between the surgical intervention and control groups. A positive change from baseline indicates improvement, whereas a negative change indicates worsening.

The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) total score ranges from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating better cognitive performance and therefore a better cognitive outcome. Change in MMSE total score from baseline to Month 12 will be compared between the surgical intervention and control groups. A positive change from baseline indicates improvement, whereas a negative change indicates worsening.

Occurrence of adverse events and serious adverse events related to the surgical procedure during the study follow-up period.

Occurrence of postoperative complications following cervical lymphatic microsurgery, including local surgical complications assessed during follow-up.

Occurrence of rehospitalization during the 12-month study follow-up period.

Occurrence of death from any cause during the 12-month study follow-up period.