In a first of kind operations ever been carried out in the US, surgeons from Johns Hopkins Hospital have implanted a deep brain stimulation device in a patient. It has been done to reduce the effects of Alzheimer's disease.

Deep brain stimulation device operations have been carried out in Europe and Canada. But, to treat a number of other brain problems, like Parkinson's disease and depression.

The device is similar to a pacemaker in the form of functioning. It consists of electrodes, which sends impulses to stimulate hippocampus, which is the first part of the brain that converts short term memory loss to long term.

Surgeons from the Johns Hopkins Hospital have affirmed that 40 patients in 2013 will be undergoing the same surgery in North America, as a part of the study. Constantine Lyketsos, who has co-chaired the trial, said that their main aim is to improve memory and to reduce the effect of cognitive decline in patients, who have been suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

"Alternative treatment strategies need to be evaluated in Alzheimer's disease due to the numerous recent failures of drug trials to halt or stave off cognitive decline in this population", said Michele York from Baylor College of Medicine, Houston.