Welcome to your daily round-up of everything happening in the world of neurorehabilitation.
Research news
Brain tissue breakthrough
Scientists have developed the first 3D-printed brain tissue that can grow and function like typical brain tissue. The breakthrough could have implications in the development of treatments for a broad range of neurological conditions, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. “This could be a hugely powerful model to help us understand how brain cells and parts of the brain communicate in humans,” says Su-Chun Zhang, professor of neuroscience and neurology at UW–Madison’s Waisman Center. “It could change the way we look at stem cell biology, neuroscience, and the pathogenesis of many neurological and psychiatric disorders.”
Do dementia and stroke risk go hand in hand?
Having a stroke may significantly increase the risk of developing dementia, new findings suggest. The risk of dementia was the highest in the first year after a stroke and remained elevated over a period of twenty years, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2024. “Our findings show that stroke survivors are uniquely susceptible to dementia, and the risk can be up to 3 times higher in the first year after a stroke. While the risk decreases over time, it remains elevated over the long-term,” said lead study author Raed Joundi, assistant professor at McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada.
Long COVID research advances
Researchers have discovered similarities in immune system dysfunction as a potential biomarker among people living with long COVID and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The research has also introduced a novel treatment and a method to track effective treatment interventions. The research was published online in Brain, Behavior & Immunity. They had been working to understand the connection between long COVID and ME/CFS and their overlapping symptoms, such as debilitating, unrelenting exhaustion and a worsening after physical or cognitive exertion, a symptom known as post-exertional malaise. In the new study, researchers identified a set of CD8 T-cell cytokine biomarkers that distinguished the long COVID and ME/CFS patient groups from the control group. CD8 T cells are an important immune cell in fighting viral infections and cancer by making special cytokines. Depending on their type, composition and context, cytokines can either help or hinder the body’s immune and inflammatory responses to infectious diseases and other insults. According to the study, people with long COVID and ME/CFS had dysfunctional CD8 T-cells, decreasing their ability to produce the helpful cytokines. This dysfunction was associated with symptoms such as exhaustion and cognitive dysfunction.
Parkinson’s concerns in America
A worrying report in the US has found that restrictive insurance policies and a lack of specialised healthcare providers often prevent Americans with Parkinson’s disease from receiving optimal treatment. The policy paper from the Movement Disorders Policy Coalition describes the highly individualised nature of the disease and the importance of having accessible options to tailor treatment. Over the years, the paper explains, treatments for Parkinson’s have become more targeted and effective. For example, newer formulations of the first line Parkinson’s treatment levodopa can prolong patients’ relief from symptoms and are available in multiple forms – oral, inhaled or infused – to accommodate patients’ individual needs. Meanwhile, a procedure known as deep brain stimulation has proven to reduce motor symptoms, and focused ultrasound can reduce tremor. Access barriers, however, often keep patients from benefitting from newer treatments. Health plan restrictions like step therapy can block patients from getting the medication that works best for them, the report explains. Long delays between when the FDA approves a new medication and when health plans begin covering the treatment can also undermine treatment. And a shortage of specialty health care providers prevents patients from getting the care they need.
NR technology news
Spinal implant
A Chinese clinical team has implanted a wireless processor into the skull of a paralysed man, significantly recovering his motor skills, including the ability to drink a bottle of water independently. The news was welcomed in Chinese media as a breakthrough for brain-computer interface (BCI) devices. The patient had suffered a complete spinal cord injury as a result of a car accident. He had been quadriplegic, or paralysed in all four limbs, for 14 years. The brain surgeons from Xuanwu Hospital implanted the minimally-invasive, wireless BCI processor in two coins’ size into the participant’s skull and successfully acquired the nerve signals in his brain region that control the sensory and motor functions.
Nerve stimulation
Combining brain stimulation with intense physical rehabilitation helped stroke survivors recover movement in their arms and hands and maintain these improvements for one year, according to a study. “The recovery of arm and hand function after a stroke often stalls or even declines, leaving many patients with chronic motor deficits that limit their independence and quality of life. New treatments that can boost the benefits of physical rehabilitation are desperately needed,” said the study’s lead author Teresa J. Kimberley, a professor of rehabilitation science and physical therapy at MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston. See more on the findings here.
Company and financial neuro-rehab news
Huntington’s company gets underway
A new Austrian company has begun working on developing a Huntington’s disease antibody treatment. HD Immune aims to build on research that has shown the potential of immunotherapy as an avenue of HD treatment in a mouse model. CEO Stefan Bartl said: “HD Immune starts in a position where we have very impressive pre-clinical data demonstrating the efficacy of treating transgenic model of Huntington’s Disease with our lead monoclonal antibody.”
Investment surge
Another day, another bold prediction about the bright future of rehab robotics firms from a global consultancy. Today’s prediction comes from SNS Insider, whose research, the shows the neurorehabilitation sector is experiencing “robust growth driven by technological advancements, the rising prevalence of neurological disorders, increased awareness, government support, and collaborative efforts in research and development”. Its report values the neuro-rehab sector at USD 1.29 billion in 2022, reaching USD 2.58 billion by 2030. It tips the key players in the coming years as Abbott Laboratories, BioScience Managers, Helius Medical Technologies, Medtronic Inc, Hocoma AG, Ekso Bionics and Bionik Laboratories.
Serious injury law firm acquired
UK law firm Serious Injury Law (SIL) has been acquired by growing national firm Fletchers Group. SIL, based in Bolton, Greater Manchester, retain its own brand and two existing offices. The Law Society Gazette reports that integration is likely to be completed by 1 May, with serious injury director Caroline Morris taking overall responsibility for the combined serious injury team. Clinical negligence lawyers with SIL will become part of the wider group team and Kate Edwards, director of private client, will lead the court of protection side of the business.
Policy, legislation and society news
Parkinson’s concerns in America
A worrying report in the US has found that restrictive insurance policies and a lack of specialised healthcare providers often prevent Americans with Parkinson’s disease from receiving optimal treatment. The policy paper from the Movement Disorders Policy Coalition describes the highly individualised nature of the disease and the importance of having accessible options to tailor treatment. Over the years, the paper explains, treatments for Parkinson’s have become more targeted and effective. For example, newer formulations of the first line Parkinson’s treatment levodopa can prolong patients’ relief from symptoms and are available in multiple forms – oral, inhaled or infused – to accommodate patients’ individual needs. Meanwhile, a procedure known as deep brain stimulation has proven to reduce motor symptoms, and focused ultrasound can reduce tremor. Access barriers, however, often keep patients from benefitting from newer treatments. Health plan restrictions like step therapy can block patients from getting the medication that works best for them, the report explains. Long delays between when the FDA approves a new medication and when health plans begin covering the treatment can also undermine treatment. And a shortage of specialty health care providers prevents patients from getting the care they need.
Lost in the system
Brain injury survivor David Annarelli has provided a detailed portrayal of life as one of the many who have navigated the prisons system with a brain injury. In 2011, he was ejected from a moving car at about 45 miles an hour, suffering a bilateral subdural haematoma, intracranial bleeding, axon retraction, and possible axon disruption—the literal tearing of brain tissue. After regaining balance and emerging from a coma, his mental health spiralled in the years that followed, culminating in a prison sentence. Read his account on Prism Reports here.
