Research

  • Oral and gut bacteria linked to cognitive decline in Parkinson’s, study finds

    Oral and gut bacteria linked to cognitive decline in Parkinson’s, study finds

    Bacteria in the mouth and gut may contribute to worsening memory and thinking problems in people with Parkinson’s disease, researchers have found. Specific bacterial changes appear to be linked to the progression from mild memory symptoms to dementia – a common and distressing feature of the condition – raising the possibility they could serve as [...]

  • FDA approves first blood test to detect amyloid plaques linked to Alzheimer’s

    FDA approves first blood test to detect amyloid plaques linked to Alzheimer’s

    The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the first blood test capable of detecting amyloid plaques, one of the key signs of Alzheimer’s disease, offering a simpler alternative to current diagnostic methods. The test, which received FDA clearance on 16 May, is approved for people aged 55 and over who show signs or [...]

  • Smartphone-based tests may speed up Huntington’s drug trials by better tracking disease progression

    Smartphone-based tests may speed up Huntington’s drug trials by better tracking disease progression

    Smartphone assessments could help researchers more precisely detect progression in Huntington’s disease, potentially improving the efficiency of clinical trials, new research suggests. A five-minute test delivered via a custom app calculates a Huntington’s Disease Digital Motor Score (HDDMS) using five simple assessments of movement control – including balance, finger tapping and involuntary movements. Huntington’s disease [...]

  • Teens with regular sleep patterns show better heart health seven years later, study finds

    Teens with regular sleep patterns show better heart health seven years later, study finds

    Teenagers who stick to consistent sleep schedules and maintain quality sleep habits are more likely to show better cardiovascular health in early adulthood, new research has found. The study followed 15-year-olds who went to bed and woke up earlier, spent less time lying awake in bed, and had less variability in their sleep routines. By [...]

  • Research roundup: improving stroke treatment, gene variant doubles dementia risk for men, and more

    Research roundup: improving stroke treatment, gene variant doubles dementia risk for men, and more

    NR Times explores the latest research developments impacting on neuro-rehab. Newly developed technique may improve success rates in treating strokes Researchers at Stanford Engineering have developed a new technique called the milli-spinner thrombectomy that could significantly improve success rates in treating strokes. The treatment may also improve success rates for treating heart attacks, pulmonary embolisms, [...]

  • College American football players show higher rates of sleep apnoea than general population

    College American football players show higher rates of sleep apnoea than general population

    More than a third of college American football players meet clinical criteria for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), significantly exceeding the estimated rates in the general US population, new research shows. The study found that 35 per cent of players had mild to moderate OSA, compared to an estimated 9–25 per cent in the broader population, [...]

  • FESGlove enables precise control of individual fingers

    FESGlove enables precise control of individual fingers

    A new glove-based system that uses functional electrical stimulation (FES) to activate individual fingers could offer a more effective way to support hand rehabilitation in people recovering from stroke or spinal cord injuries. The FESGlove delivers targeted electrical stimulation to specific hand muscles and nerves, offering greater selectivity than many current systems, which often cause [...]

  • Brain injury survivors help shape new medical technologies

    Brain injury survivors help shape new medical technologies

    People living with brain injuries are playing a direct role in shaping how new medical technologies are developed, thanks to a programme designed to ensure innovations meet real-life needs. The initiative brings together patients, clinicians, and technology developers in online sessions where research plans are presented and refined based on feedback from those with lived [...]

  • Brain injury survivors guide medical technology development through new patient involvement programme

    Brain injury survivors guide medical technology development through new patient involvement programme

    A programme that connects brain injury survivors with technology developers has led to design changes in at least nine research projects, according to new findings. The initiative involves one-hour virtual sessions where innovators, including small-medium enterprises and clinicians, present their research plans to selected groups of patients with relevant expertise. More than 20 sessions have [...]

  • Long COVID biomarkers could predict patient risk, new study suggests

    Long COVID biomarkers could predict patient risk, new study suggests

    A clinical study examining immune system proteins in long COVID patients has identified potential biomarkers that researchers believe could help predict risk and guide treatment. The research analysed DNA and blood samples from 175 participants who had previously contracted COVID-19, measuring levels of immune proteins and genetic variants to understand their connection to persistent symptoms. [...]