The Potential of Art Therapy with Alzheimer's Disease

In the world of Alzheimer's disease (AD), pharmacological options often fall short and or are invasive to the patient. However, non-pharmacological interventions such as art therapy are gaining popularity and showing promise. Art therapy engages cognitive and emotional faculties which can potentially offer support for individuals suffering from AD. The underlying mechanism at work remains unknown but focusing on certain parts of the brain may reveal some things.

In the research article, "Cerebellar EEG source localization reveals age-related compensatory activity moderated by genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease" the researchers delved into the relationship between age and genetic risk factors for AD. Particularly they focused on the role of the cerebellum in executive functioning using EEG data. Previous studies showed that individuals who are aging have signs of compensatory brain activity to help maintain proper function. The researchers of this study found that older age predicts greater cerebellar activity during inhibitory tasks which shows that there is a compensatory role for AD in the cerebellum. The issue arises because there is only a finite amount of compensatory capacity available and it depletes faster in those who carry the APOE4 allele. This means individuals with this gene are more at risk of having an earlier impact on their cerebellar function than those without it the risk factor when aging. In particular, the posterior cerebellum activation during the inhibitory test is in line with pre-existing research. Previous research has shown crus 1 and 2 are vulnerable to age-related Alzheimer development which are located in the posterior portion of the cerebellum. This also indicates potential early impacts on cerebellar function for individuals at risk of AD. Individuals suffering from AD have bouts of anxiety or uncontrollable agitation that have usually been met with medical treatment which leaves the patients more doicle a less responsive state.

In the research review "Creative Art Therapy as a Non-Pharmacological Intervention for Dementia." The researchers were able to give insight into the effectiveness and efficacy of art therapy for those with AD. They explain the importance of having alternative interventions for dementia and art therapy offers a holistic approach to managing behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) that were unknown before. Art therapy allows individuals living with AD to express their emotions and cope with the cognitive challenges they face on an everyday basis. Having patients facilitate a more interpersonal connection with their caregivers and giving them a sense of living in the moment helps reduce agitation and anxiety which keeps their mood in balance. Art therapy is especially helpful with dementia patients because of the concept of person-centered care. Each person living with AD has unique needs and preferences and using art helps to tailor a more personal experience for each person, this helps promote a sense of belonging and lets them share their experience. Art therapy not only supports emotional well-being but also helps promote cognitive function in the brain. Art therapy can have an indirect effect on the cerebellum, engaging in creative activities stimulates neural networks that regulate emotional attention and motor control. 

Connecting the two studies we can come to the conclusion that observable improvements in the quality and overall well-being of life for individuals suffering from AD can be mediated by changes in the cerebral activity induced by art therapy. The genetic difference observable from the first study goes to show the importance of having unique and personalized patient care instead of having pharmacological interventions at the cost of the patient. Both studies talk about the importance of having nonpharmacological interventions and the need for a greater understanding of the underlying mechanism of AD, but by using the power of creative expression with the neural underpinnings we are discovering, we will be able to help the well-being of dementia patients.

References:

Emblad, Shayla Y M, and Elizabeta B Mukaetova-Ladinska. “Creative Art Therapy as a Non-Pharmacological Intervention for Dementia: A Systematic Review.” Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease Reports, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 3 May 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8203286/#sec0005title. 

Paitel, E. R., & Nielson, K. A. (2023). Cerebellar EEG source localization reveals age-related compensatory activity moderated by genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease. Psychophysiology, 60, e14395. https://doi.org/10.1111/psyp.14395