Welcome to your daily round-up of everything happening in the world of neurorehabilitation.
Research news
Over 20,000 people join search for new dementia treatments
More than 20,000 volunteers have been recruited to a resource aimed at speeding up the development of much-needed dementia drugs. The cohort will enable scientists in universities and industry to involve healthy individuals who may be at increased risk of dementia in clinical trials to test whether new drugs can slow the decline in various brain functions including memory and delay the onset of dementia.
Some brain cells age faster and are more prevalent in Alzheimer’s
Engineers at the University of California San Diego have discovered that some brain cells age more rapidly than others, and they are disproportionately abundant in individuals afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, researchers observed sex-specific differences in the aging process of certain brain cells, with the female cortex exhibiting a higher ratio of “old” oligodendrocytes to “old” neurons compared to the male cortex.
Sex-related differences in brain structure
Men and women are known to experience multiple sclerosis, autism spectrum disorder, migraines, and other brain issues at different rates and with varying symptoms. A detailed understanding of how biological sex impacts the brain is therefore viewed as a way to improve diagnostic tools and treatments. However, while brain size, shape, and weight have been explored, researchers have only a partial picture of the brain’s layout at the cellular level. A new study has now shown that Artificial intelligence (AI) computer programmes that process MRI results show differences in how the brains of men and women are organized at a cellular level. These variations were spotted in white matter, tissue primarily located in the human brain’s innermost layer, which fosters communication between regions.
Company and financial neuro-rehab news
FDA acceptance and Priority Review of BLA for Upstaza
PTC Therapeutics announced today that the FDA has accepted for filing the Biologics License Application (BLA) for Upstaz, a gene therapy for the treatment of AADC deficiency. The application has been granted Priority Review with a target regulatory action date of November 13, 2024. Upstaza is a one-time gene replacement therapy indicated for the treatment of patients aged 18 months and older with a clinical, molecular, and genetically confirmed diagnosis of aromatic L–amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency with a severe phenotype.
The efficacy and safety profile of Upstaza has been demonstrated across clinical trials and compassionate use programs.1 The first patient was dosed in 2010. In clinical trials, Upstaza demonstrated transformational neurological improvements. The most common side effects were initial insomnia, irritability and dyskinesia. Administration of Upstaza occurs through a stereotactic surgical procedure, a minimally invasive neurosurgical procedure used for the treatment of a number of pediatric and adult neurological disorders.
Technology news
Data collection platform to accelerate research in Central Disorders of Hypersomnolence
Sleep Consortium, in partnership with leading sleep-related patient advocacy organisations, the global patient community, and key industry stakeholders, has launched the Sleep Data Collection Platform (DCP). Designed for individuals and families affected by Central Disorders of Hypersomnolence, the Sleep DCP is set to revolutionise research and enhance understanding of these conditions by leveraging AI and machine learning already enabled by RARE-X—a research programme of Global Genes.
Breakthrough paves the way for next generation of vision implants
A group of researchers from Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, University of Freiburg and the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience have created an exceptionally small implant, with electrodes the size of a single neuron that can also remain intact in the body over time – a unique combination that holds promise for future vision implants for the blind.
