Welcome to your daily round-up of everything happening in the world of neurorehabilitation.
Research news
Research grant to explore new causes of MS
Alexander Gow, Ph.D., professor and associate director of the Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics and professor of paediatrics and neurology at the Wayne State University School of Medicine, received an award from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for a study into the causes of multiple sclerosis. The three-year, $644,827 grant for his study, “Metabolic Stress and Oligodendrocyte Pathophysiology,” will explore the early roots of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in patients that Gow believes may begin years — perhaps even decades — before symptoms become apparent.
Association of new-onset seizures with SARS-CoV-2 vaccines
A new, systematic review and meta-analysis has revealed that the incidence proportion of new-onset seizures after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination was not statistically different between vaccine recipients and placebo recipients or unvaccinated participants in the pooled analyses of more than 118,000 participants in randomized clinical trials.
Funding for brain injuries, PTSD and more
In a recent round of grant awards, the STRONG STAR Consortium based at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) was selected by the U.S. Department of Defense for a total of $17 million in funding to launch eight new research projects focused on traumatic brain injury and psychological health. The combined projects will enable the consortium to take a big step forward in its mission to advance the care of military personnel and veterans recovering from war-related trauma and the psychological wounds it inflicts.
Company and financial neuro-rehab news
Coya Therapeutics presents updated ALS biomarker data
Coya Therapeutics will present biomarker data as part of a presentation at the 2nd Annual Johnson Center Symposium in Houston, Texas. The data presented highlights the strong predictive value of oxidative stress biomarker (4-HNE) levels with the rate of disease progression and survival in ALS patients from a longitudinal patient registry cohort. Dr Stanley Appel, M.D., Chairman of Coya’s SAB, commented: “The demonstration that serum levels of 4-HNE are highly correlated with ALS progression and survival highlights the potential value of this lipid peroxide as a biomarker of disease pathophysiology and as an independent monitor of clinical status.”
Phase II/III data in patients with early Alzheimer’s Disease
Annovis Bio has announced the data from its Phase II/III Alzheimer study of buntanetap in mild to moderate AD patients. Based on these data, the company plans to conduct a pivotal Phase III trial in biomarker-positive early AD patients. Buntanetap is an oral molecule that selectively binds to an iron-responsive element in the mRNA of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and other neurotoxic proteins and inhibits their translation. Through this mechanism, buntanetap was shown to decrease the production of amyloid beta (Aβ), tau, alpha-Synuclein (αSYN), and TDP43.
Technology news
Tether invests $200m in brain-chip maker Blackrock Neurotech
Reuters reports that the crypto company Tether has invested $200 million in Blackrock Neurotech, taking a majority stake in the U.S. brain implant company. Blackrock Neurotech makes brain-to-computer interfaces, including neural implants which can allow people to control computers and prosthetic arms without moving, its website says. It has no relation to the asset manager BlackRock.
The deal, which closed on Friday after several months of due diligence, values Blackrock Neurotech at around $350 million, making Tether its largest shareholder, Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino told Reuters.
