Welcome to your daily round-up of everything happening in the world of neurorehabilitation.
Research
Concussion may lead to increased iron levels
People who have headaches after experiencing concussions may also be more likely to have higher levels of iron in areas of the brain, which is a sign of injury to brain cells, according to a preliminary study, involving 60 people who had post-traumatic headache due to mild traumatic brain injury, or concussion. The research is due to be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 76th Annual Meeting taking place from April 13–18, 2024.
Research supports Viagra in treatment of Alzheimer’s
New Cleveland Clinic-led research points to sildenafil (Viagra) as a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. The study provides evidence from computational models, insurance claims data and observations from brain cells in Alzheimer’s patients.
Even low levels of physical activity lowers stroke risk
Even people whose physical activity levels fall short of recommended guidelines, but who manage to do some during their leisure time, are likely to have a lower risk of stroke than their sedentary peers, suggests a pooled data analysis of the available evidence, published online in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry.
$13.2m grant for Parkinson’s study
A $13.2 million grant from The Marcus Foundation will support a new clinical trial that could mark the first step toward a preventive treatment for Parkinson’s disease. The trial, led by Yale School of Medicine, will assess whether an anti-TNF therapy Humira, an existing treatment for autoimmune disorders, can impede symptoms.
Company updates
BrainCheck launches $15m financing round
BrainCheck, an innovator in the digital cognitive assessment market, has announced a $15 million new financing round. The funding will accelerate BrainCheck’s commercial traction, expand innovation within its product portfolio, build upon existing clinical evidence, and extend the Company’s impact throughout the healthcare landscape, including major integrations with healthcare systems.
TBI Action Alliance launches new initiative
The TBI Action Alliance (TBIAA), a coalition focused on accelerating the development of diagnostics and therapeutics for TBI, today announced a multi-pronged policy and communications initiative to bring TBI to the forefront of the national public health agenda and advance new solutions for those affected.
Allen Institute joins Weill Neurohub
The Allen Institute has become the newest member of the Weill Neurohub, a collaborative research network advancing treatments for neurological diseases. The new partnership will integrate the Allen Institute’s expertise in large-scale brain mapping and brain recording with the cutting-edge research of the Weill Neurohub’s founding members: the University of California, Berkeley; the University of California, San Francisco; and the University of Washington.
INmune Bio reports improvements in Alzheimer’s patients with XPro™
INmune Bio, a clinical-stage immunology company targeting microglial activation and neuroinflammation as a cause of Alzheimer’s disease has reported significant improvements in electroencephalography (EEG), a biomarker of brain function, in patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer’ disease who were treated with XPro™
Technology
Predictive models for paediatric head injuries
NIJ-funded research has enabled biomechanical experts to improve predictive models of head injuries in children, helping physicians and law enforcement to better distinguish between accidental injury and abuse.
