Welcome to your daily round-up of everything happening in the world of neurorehabilitation.
Research news
Protein build-up in Parkinson’s disease
Researchers have used computational models to understand what drives the accumulation of alpha-synuclein protein, a key culprit in the development of Parkinson’s disease. The study, published today as a Reviewed Preprint in eLife, is described by the editors as providing important biophysical insights into the molecular mechanism underlying the association of alpha-synuclein chains, which is essential for understanding the development of Parkinson’s disease. The data analysis is solid, and the methodology can help investigate other molecular processes involving intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs).
Altered brain morphology and functional connectivity in postmenopausal women
In a new study, researchers Gwang-Won Kim, Kwangsung Park, Yun-Hyeon Kim, and Gwang-Woo Jeong from Chonnam National University not only compared the brain volume changes between premenopausal and postmenopausal women, but also evaluated the functional connectivity between the targeted brain regions associated with structural atrophy in postmenopausal women.
Company and financial neuro-rehab news
Diagnosing Acute Ischemic Stroke in 90 seconds
The Neurology Department of China Medical University Hospital (CMUH, Taiwan), teaming up with AI Centre at CMUH, has established the Artificial Intelligence for Stroke Image Analysis platform, which contains the “NCCT-based Ischemic Stroke Detection System (AISIA-NCCT)” and the “Brain CT Perfusion Analysis System (AISIA-CTP),” both the innovation by AI Center at CMUH. The models analyse NCCT and CTP images to detect acute ischemic stroke, as well as to identify the ischemic core and penumbra. This assists physicians in making decision of acute ischemic stroke management.
Post-Acute Stroke Care Solution
CareDirections and Carium are announcing the commercial availability of StrokeCP, a clinically and financially validated digital health platform designed by researchers at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and powered by Carium’s award-winning patient engagement and virtual care management solution. StrokeCP was created based on insights from the five-year COMPASS study conducted in 40 hospital sites across North Carolina. The platform pulls together various tools and interventions proven to support care management for stroke survivors post-discharge, leading to improved quality outcomes and reduced cost of care for health systems.
Policy, legislation and society news
Brain Waves and Breakthroughs: Patenting Neurotech in Canada
Obiter explores the ethics, challenges and concerns over patenting neurotechnology in Canada: “Canada’s patent laws delineate what can and cannot be patented, excluding higher life forms, abstract theorems, and mere scientific principles. However, neurotechnology blurs these boundaries, raising questions about the patentability of inventions that delve into the realm of brain function and cognition. While patents themselves may not inherently be problematic, the potential misuse or exploitation of patented technologies, particularly those related to brain function and cognitive manipulation, raise significant ethical concerns.”
