Welcome to your daily round-up of everything happening in the world of neurorehabilitation.
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Research insights
Love hormone holds the key to better memory?
A recent study by researchers from Tokyo University of Science sheds light on how natural oxytocin can enhance cognitive performance, with important implications for memory research and potential therapies. Researchers anticipate that this finding will pave the way for innovative treatments and pharmaceutical interventions aimed at slowing down the progression of dementia.
TBI and risk of brain cancer in veterans
In a new study, moderate or severe and penetrating traumatic brain injury (TBI) were associated with the subsequent development of brain cancer in this study of more than 1.9 million veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. However, mild TBI was not associated with later brain cancer diagnoses. Read more
Frexalimab shows promise in MS
According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the anti-CD40L monoclonal antibody frexalimab has a favorable effect on the number of new gadolinium-enhancing T1-weighted lesions, for patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis. Read more.
Brain injury expert sheds light on disorders of consciousness
A narrative review article in a themed issue on disorders of consciousness (DoC) in the journal NeuroRehabilitation, addresses the topic of the medicolegal challenges of litigating cases involving patients with DoC. The article unpacks the multifaceted medicolegal science and caveats for both clinicians and neuro litigators in such cases including terminology, nosology, assessment, prognosis, treatment, medical decision-making, patient rights, family impact, and ethics. Read more here
Could acupuncture curb risk of stroke?
A course of acupuncture may curb the heightened risk of stroke associated with rheumatoid arthritis, finds a comparative study published in the open access journal BMJ Open.
The effects seem to be independent of sex, age, medication use, and co-existing conditions, the findings indicate, prompting the researchers to suggest that the procedure may reduce levels of pro-inflammatory proteins (cytokines) in the body that are linked to cardiovascular disease. Read more.
Company updates
ZyVersa Therapeutics highlights review findings
ZyVersa Therapeutics has highlighted data from a review article providing increasing evidence that activation of several types of inflammasomes and extracellular ASC specks contribute to the development and progression of multiple neurological diseases including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), epilepsy, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and stroke.
Sage Therapeutics shares update from 2023
Sage Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company which aims to create a world with better brain health, has reported business highlights and financial results for 2023. The team has completed enrollment in the Phase 2 PRECEDENT placebo-controlled study of dalzanemdor in people with mild cognitive impairment due to Parkinson’s Disease. Topline data from the study are expected in early 2024.
Annovis Bio announces completion of Alzheimer’s trial
Annovis Bio, a clinical-stage drug platform company developing novel therapies for neurodegenerative diseases has announced the completion of a phase II/III study of its lead candidate buntanetap in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease (AD). A total of 327 patients have successfully concluded the phase II/III trial out of the initial 353 enrolled.
Technology
Doctors implant rechargeable deep brain stimulation device
Doctors at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) are among the nation’s first to implant a newly approved sensing rechargeable deep brain stimulation device with a 15-year battery life allowing more continual treatment of patients with movement disorders.
