Welcome to your daily round-up of everything happening in the world of neurorehabilitation.
Research developments
Erectile dysfunction drugs linked to reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease
Erectile dysfunction drugs, which work by dilating blood vessels to allow more blood to flow through, were first developed to treat high blood pressure, but a new study suggests that the drugs may also be tied to a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
The study involved 269,725 male participants with an average age of 59 who were newly diagnosed with erectile dysfunction. Participants, who did not have any memory or thinking problems at the start of the study, were followed for an average of five years. Once researchers adjusted for other factors that could affect the rate of Alzheimer’s disease, such as age, smoking status and alcohol consumption, they found that people who took erectile dysfunction drugs were 18 per cent less likely to develop Alzheimer’s than people who did not take the drugs.
New method for detecting MS
Researchers have developed a new method of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the early detection and better monitoring of multiple sclerosis (MS). The method maps the myelin sheaths in the brain more precisely than was previously possible. According to ETH Zurich, the new method could also be used by researchers to better visualise other solid tissue types such as connective tissue, tendons and ligaments.
Nerve stimulation and intense rehab improve arm and hand function after stroke
Combining brain stimulation with intense physical rehabilitation helped stroke survivors recover movement in their arms and hands and maintain these improvements for one year, according to a study presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2024. Vagus nerve stimulation uses an implantable device to stimulate the nerve with electrical impulses that help create new pathways in the brain to assist movement in impaired limbs. It is the first approved neuromodulation device to aid in chronic stroke recovery.
Company updates
Studies show real-world impact of Viz.ai neuro suite
Viz.ai, a developer of AI-powered disease detection and care coordination technology, has showcased new clinical data supporting advancements in neurovascular care using its platform.
Six studies presented at the 2024 International Stroke Conference have shown positive outcomes with real-world impact of Viz.ai in clinical practice across various neurology pathologies including acute ischemic stroke, cryptogenic stroke, unruptured incidental aneurysm (UIA) and brain hemorrhage.
MIVI Neurosciences shares update on stroke trial
MIVI Neuroscience has announced the primary results of its EvaQ Trial, a prospective, multi-center, FDA-regulated IDE study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the MIVI Q™ Revascularization System for treating acute ischemic stroke. According to data presented at the 2024 International Stroke Conference, results show the system to be safe and effective for thrombectomy of Large Vessel Occlusion (LVO) strokes.
Vandria awarded €3.8m for research into CNS and age-related diseases
The Swiss company, developing mitochondrial therapeutics, has been awarded two grants totalling €3.8M from Innosuisse and Eurostars to support its two lead drug candidates addressing CNS and muscle diseases. The grant will support the early clinical development plan for the lead CNS mitophagy drug candidate VNA-318 that has the potential to treat cognitive impairment, dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
Abbvie make further Parkinson’s progress
NR-relevant Pharma firm Abbvie has made further progress in increasing access to treatments for people with Parkinson’s. It announced yesterday that its subcutaneous infusion Vyalev will be now available for patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease (aPD) in Canada. The company stated that Vyalev, a non-surgical treatment option, is the first-and-only subcutaneous 24-hour infusion of levodopa-based therapy for the treatment of aPD. During a clinical trial, patients consuming Vyalev experienced a reduction in motor fluctuations and morning akinesia, along with improvements in sleep quality and quality of life.
Technology
Tiny device could revolutionise SCI treatment
Scientists have built a tiny device that could be used to improve the safety and effectiveness of cell therapy treatments for patients suffering from spinal cord injuries, MIT reports. In cell therapy, clinicians create what are known as induced pluripotent stem cells by reprogramming some skin or blood cells taken from a patient. To treat a spinal cord injury, they would coax these pluripotent stem cells to become progenitor cells, which are destined to differentiate into spinal cord cells. These progenitors are then transplanted back into the patient. These new cells can regenerate part of the injured spinal cord. However, pluripotent stem cells that don’t fully change into progenitors can form tumours. A research team featuring scientists from MIT and the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology developed a microfluidic cell sorter that can remove about half of the undifferentiated cells — those that can potentially become tumours — in a batch, without causing any damage to the fully-formed progenitor cells. Read the full story here.
