Brain machine interfaces could improve Parkinson’s treatment

News

Author: Parkinson's Life editorsPublished: 8 November 2017

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Brain machine interfaces, which are commonly used to help those living with paralysis, could be used to treat Parkinson’s.

The technology may be able to predict symptoms before they arise as it can translate what the brain is saying.

It is hoped this technology will also be able to improve deep brain stimulation as it could better identify the brain’s needs in real time.

Helen Bronte Stewart, professor of neurology and neurological sciences at Stanford University, US, said that a well-timed brain stimulation approach may prevent freezing of gait – with fewer side effects than before. She also said that a more sophisticated feedback system could treat the cognitive effects of Parkinson’s.

Last Month

Next Month

Go Back

Share this story

Comments

Resources & Tools

How Parkinson’s genetics is transforming drug development

Find out about the latest research into Parkinson’s genetics

“The biggest compliment I get is when people don’t notice my dog is here”

After seven years of service Tommy can take his retirement

Paint relief: “The joy of painting outshines my Parkinson’s symptoms”

Self-taught artist Walter Reynecke on how painting calms his condition

Wearable device for Parkinson’s disease raises $10m in funding

UK-based tech company Charco Neurotech has secured $10 million in seed investment funding to support the launch of a non-invasive wearable device designed for people with Parkinson’s disease. CUE1 is a circular device worn on the sternum, which is designed to help alleviate Parkinson’s symptoms through specialised vibrations that are personalised for each patient. The investment round, which was co-led by venture capital company Amadeus Capital Partners and growth fund managers Parkwalk Advisors, is the largest European seed financing in 2021 for a heath technology device – and the sixth largest globally. Lucy Jung, co-founder and CEO of Charco Neurotech, said: “This funding will enable us to proceed with our first, limited launch, while we work to ensure our manufacturing line is robust and produces consistent high quality devices.” Charco also recently announced a new partnership with the European Parkinson’s Disease Association (EPDA), to help increase the availability of Charco’s…

Does Parkinson’s disease start in the nose?

An international team led by the University of Ottawa in Canada will study whether the scent-processing nerves inside the nose may play a part in the development of Parkinson’s disease. The researchers will explore potential connections between inflammation, environmental exposures in the nasal cavity, odour processing centres in the brain and Parkinson’s-related genes. The scientists hope that if the study indicates that Parkinson’s starts in the nose, early signs of the condition could potentially be detected sooner. This research, which will use human and animal models, has been made possible by a US $9m grant from the Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP) initiative, which aims to improve understanding of the causes of the condition. “This grant will allow us to explore an understudied but important aspect of Parkinson’s, which could lead to new approaches for early treatment and prevention,” said Professor Michael Schlossmacher, team leader of the study.

Study finds gene therapy may restore effects of Parkinson’s drug

Levodopa is a drug commonly used to treat Parkinson’s as it helps to increase dopamine levels in the brain and improve problems with movement. In later stages of the condition, however, this treatment can become less effective. Now, findings from a US preclinical study have suggested that a new gene therapy may help to restore the effects of levodopa in people with the condition. The researchers used mice models of Parkinson’s to test the effects of the gene therapy, targeting a small region in the brain where dopamine-releasing neurons are present. They found that the therapy increased the neurons’ ability to convert levodopa to dopamine – and discovered that damage to the mitochondria in dopamine-releasing neurons may be enough to trigger Parkinson’s onset. The scientists hope their findings will encourage the development of therapies to preserve the function of these neurons, and support patients in the later stages of Parkinson’s.

All fields required

First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Enter Email Confirm Email
Country of residence*
About me*
- I have Parkinson's disease
- I am a partner / carer / family / friend of someone who has Parkinson's
- I am a healthcare professional with an interest in Parkinson's
- I work for a Parkinson's disease organisation
- Other
CAPTCHA
*
- By proceeding you agree to our
Email
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Brain machine interfaces could improve Parkinson’s treatment

News

Author: Parkinson's Life editorsPublished: 8 November 2017

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Resources & Tools

How Parkinson’s genetics is transforming drug development

Interviews

“The biggest compliment I get is when people don’t notice my dog is here”

Interviews

Paint relief: “The joy of painting outshines my Parkinson’s symptoms”

Wearable device for Parkinson’s disease raises $10m in funding

Does Parkinson’s disease start in the nose?

Study finds gene therapy may restore effects of Parkinson’s drug

{title}

Subscribe

Brain machine interfaces could improve Parkinson’s treatment

News

Author: Parkinson's Life editorsPublished: 8 November 2017

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Related articles

Resources & Tools

How Parkinson’s genetics is transforming drug development

Interviews

“The biggest compliment I get is when people don’t notice my dog is here”

Interviews

Paint relief: “The joy of painting outshines my Parkinson’s symptoms”

Wearable device for Parkinson’s disease raises $10m in funding

Does Parkinson’s disease start in the nose?

Study finds gene therapy may restore effects of Parkinson’s drug

{title}

Subscribe

Sign in