Welcome to your daily round-up of everything happening in the world of neurorehab.
Research
Researchers to study inflammation’s impact on brain health
Research teams from Northwestern University Chicago Campus, University of Michigan and University of Pittsburgh will lead a $15 million project dedicated to studying inflammation’s role in cardiac and brain diseases.
The American Heart Association’s Strategically Focused Research Network (SFRN) on Inflammation in Cardiac and Neurovascular Disease aims to better understand the body’s response to inflammation and crosstalk between the heart and brain, as well as how to prevent or treat inflammation-driven cardiovascular diseases.
Study links lack of diversity in dementia trials to amyloid protein levels
It’s long been recognised that some of the groups most likely to get dementia, including African Americans and Hispanics, are greatly underrepresented in clinical trials. Now a new USC study shows that people from certain racial and ethnic groups may be ineligible for clinical trials on Alzheimer’s disease because they have lower levels of amyloid protein at early stages of the disease. The study also suggests that Alzheimer’s may progress differently in different populations.
Study explores impact of ketogenic diets on cognitive behaviour
Studies suggest that ketogenic diets (KD) may improve memory in mouse models of ageing and Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers from the University of California Davis and Istinye University determined whether a continuous or intermittent KD (IKD) enhanced cognitive behaviour in the TgF344-AD rat model of AD. At 8 or 12 months of age, KD or IKD intervention did not improve measures of cognitive or motor behaviour, however, both positively impacted circulating lipids.
How environmental factors impact AFib
While we’ve studied how genetics and lifestyle play a role in atrial fibrillation, we haven’t paid as much attention to how environmental factors might contribute. In a new review, a team of researchers examined how things like air pollution, weather, noise, green spaces and social factors might influence atrial fibrillation.
Technology
New collaboration brings AI into field of Brain-Computer Interfaces
Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (TASMC) has partnered with the AI innovator NeuroBrave to bring Generative AI into the field of BCI (Brain-Computer Interfaces). The collaboration will yield real-time translation of thoughts and intentions, allowing completely paralysed patients to intuitively communicate with those around them, and operate computers, mobile phones, and other devices. The hospital and the company signed a research and commercial cooperation agreement.
Company
Novartis publishes efficacy data on Kesimpta® in MS
Novartis has announced data from its ALITHIOS open-label extension study showing sustained efficacy of first-line, continuous Kesimpta® (ofatumumab) treatment for up to six years in recently diagnosed treatment-naïve people living with relapsing multiple sclerosis. Outcomes included 44 per cent fewer relapses.
