Lightweight gloves use electronic stimulation to reduce Parkinson’s tremors
Scientists in Thailand have developed lightweight and easy-to-use Parkinson's gloves that can automatically reduce tremors.
Research reveals brain area’s role in recognising others
The cerebellum coordinates the brain network essential for social recognition memory, US researchers have learned. This cognitive process enables people to remember and recognise others, particularly those who they have met before.
Brain injury expert calls for death definition changes
A leading brain injury expert has called for reforms to the legal definition of death in the US to align the neurological criteria with wider medical standards.
Global brain disease patient population expected to double by 2050
The number of people with neurological disorders globally is on track to double by 2050, new data suggests.
Neurological conditions are currently the second highest cause of death and the leading cause of disability worldwide and a new Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study suggests their impact could accelerate further in coming decades.
Stem cell therapy can safely slow MS progression – study
Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, or aHSCT for short, is usually used to treat blood cancers, and involves harvesting stem cells from the person’s own bone marrow or blood followed by chemotherapy and antibody treatment. Emerging evidence indicates that it is suitable for treating relapsing-remitting MS— characterised by distinct inflammatory episodes that cause varying degrees of residual disability. But aHSCT has yet to be included in most national clinical guidelines. The researchers therefore wanted to assess its safety and effectiveness when used in routine healthcare rather than under clinical trial conditions.
Augmented reality presents new rehab possibilities
An augmented-reality (AR) headset is an effective digital tool for improving posture and gait in people with Parkinson’s disease, according to new trial findings.
Who gets your vote for the People’s Choice Award at the NR Times Awards
Voting is now open for the person who has made the biggest impact in the world of neuro-rehab
Expert view: The future of rehab robotics
With over 20 years experience in the medical device industry, Stephen Ruffle, commercial director at Thor Assistive Technologies, has been a key player in bringing some of the major breakthroughs of the sector to those who need them most. He sat down with NR Times to share his insights.
Starting out as a wheelchair designer, before becoming a mobility specialist and eventually investigating the emergence of Exoskeleton devices, Stephen Ruffle, has seen some significant technological advances in neurorehabilitation over the last two decades. Over the course of his career, Stephen has introduced a number of new neurorehabilitation devices to the UK from around the world, including the ReWalk 6.0 Personal Exoskeleton in 2015, helping them reach the patients who stand to benefit. He went on to establish Thor Assistive Technologies which trains, supports and supplies its partners with innovative rehabilitation devices, based on using robotics to improve exercise dose, repetitions and engagement - all of which has been proven to help build neuroplasticity and improve overall recovery. Here, Stephen, discusses the important role that these devices have in neurorehab, the major breakthroughs he has seen, and the challenges still to be tackled by the market.
Welcoming a new age of precision neuroscience
NR Times reports on how the pioneering work of Aprinoia Therapeutics could influence better patient outcomes in neuro-rehab; in conversation with chief medical officer Bradford Navia. ‘Precision neuroscience’ is a term which encapsulates the ceaseless drive for more targeted and effective brain treatments and diagnoses. Not to be confused with Elon Musk’s neuro-tech startup of the same name, it sits at the intersect between two emergent health innovation trends; the rise of precision medicine – tailored interventions that consider genes, environments and lifestyles – and an acceleration of our understanding of the neurological world. On the frontline of the precision neuroscience movement is Aprinoia, a clinical-stage biotech headquartered in Boston which is opening up new possibilities for the diagnosis and treatment of neuro conditions including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
