The next Alzheimer’s treatment could come from an unexpected place. In new research released this week, scientists have found evidence in mice that xenon gas might be able to help treat the neurodegenerative condition.

Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia — it causes memory loss, confusion, thinking problems and behavioral changes.

The gas xenon, like the other noble, or inert, gases, is known for doing very little. The class of elements, because of its molecular structure, don’t typically interact with many chemicals.

In a trial featuring a mouse model of Alzheimer's, scientists found that inhaling a mixture containing xenon gas helped reduce levels of brain atrophy and neuroinflammation.