Low Dose Radiotherapy (LDRT): Is There an Emerging Role in the Central Nervous System?

Low-dose radiotherapy (LDRT) is gaining attention as a novel therapeutic approach for central nervous system (CNS) pathologies with inflammatory components, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative disorders. This webinar, "Low Dose Radiotherapy (LDRT): Is There an Emerging Role in the Central Nervous System?", examines LDRT's potential to modulate key pathological features such as neuroinflammation, amyloid plaque accumulation, and hyperphosphorylated tau across various CNS conditions. Preclinical studies show that LDRT reduces amyloid burden, normalizes inflammatory markers like TSPO and CLUSTERIN, and enhances synaptic protein expression in animal models. Early human trials, using regimens like 10 Gy in 5 fractions, demonstrate good tolerability with minimal side effects, such as transient epilation, and suggest cognitive stabilization or improvement in AD patients. Ongoing randomized controlled trials are evaluating diverse LDRT dosing strategies, from ultra-low (24 cGy/6 fractions) to conventional low doses (300 cGy/6 fractions), focusing on cognitive outcomes and biomarker changes across inflammatory CNS disorders. While the mechanisms and long-term safety of LDRT remain under investigation, emerging evidence supports its potential as a versatile treatment approach. This session will review current findings and explore LDRT's broader applications in managing CNS pathologies with inflammatory components.

Target Audience

This activity is designed to meet the interests of radiation oncologists, radiation biologists, pathologists, nurses and neurologists. 

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to do the following: 

  • Understand the mechanistic basis of low-dose radiotherapy (LDRT) in modulating neuroinflammation and pathological hallmarks, such as amyloid plaques and hyperphosphorylated tau, across central nervous system (CNS) disorders with inflammatory components. 
  • Evaluate the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of LDRT regimens, including ultra-low and conventional low-dose protocols, based on preclinical and early-phase trial data for CNS conditions like Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.
  • Identify the current gaps in knowledge, optimal dosing strategies, and future research directions for the application of LDRT in treating CNS pathologies with inflammatory components. 
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

    The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education for physicians. ASTRO designates this for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

  • 1.00 Certificate of Attendance
    This activity was designated for 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.
Course opens: 
09/15/2025
Course expires: 
09/14/2027
Cost:
$0.00
Rating: 
0
  • Evan Thomas, MD, PhD, is employed by Renaissance Institute of Precision Oncology and Radiosurgery. 
  • Bobby Koneru, MD, FASTRO, is employed by FHN Memorial Hospital.  

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) is accredited by the Accreditation Council of Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing education to physicians. 

Available Credit

1.00 Certificate of Attendance

This activity was designated for 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 credit.™ 

Available Credit

  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

    The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education for physicians. ASTRO designates this for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

  • 1.00 Certificate of Attendance
    This activity was designated for 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.

Price

Cost:
$0.00
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