Architecture-Neuroscience Cooperation: Project Recommendations to Therapeutic Gardens Design for the Non-pharmacological Treatment of Individuals with Alzheimer's Disease

摘要

The Neuroscience-Architecture cooperation indicates the potentiality of the built space in molding and shaping the structure of the brain and, consequentially, impacting and transforming the human behavior. Such potentiality is supported by the concept of neuroplasticity. Changes in the structure of the brain can also be verified in individuals with neurological degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. Nowadays, the number of diagnostics of the disease is over 47 million cases all over the globe. Its treatment is based on pharmacological and non-pharmacological procedures. The pharmacological consists of medication administration to the patient whereas the non-pharmacological encompasses a set of cognitive, sensorimotor, and somatosensory stimuli directed to minimizing symptoms and postponing the advance of the disease. Considering the latter, the present research brings several contributions, discussing and proposing 45 project recommendations to the landscape design of therapeutic gardens, integrating the scope of non-pharmacological treatments of Alzheimer. From the analysis of two Brazilian clinics dedicated to the care of these patients, the research points out vulnerabilities and capacities of their respective projects, aiming at the promotion of a better life quality, wellness and conviviality for the residents of these spaces.