European Inventor Award 2016: deep brain stimulation inventor wins research prize

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Author: Almaz OhenePublished: 29 June 2016

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Physicist and neurosurgeon Alim-Louis Benabid was awarded the Research prize at the European Inventor Award 2016 ceremony in Lisbon. His work revolutionised the treatment of Parkinson’s disease after he pioneered the use of high-frequency deep brain stimulation.

Based on controlled electric charges administered via a probe implanted into the patient’s skull, Benabid’s life-changing method has become a standard treatment around the world, and has benefited over 150,000 people.

Accepting the award, Alim-Louis Benabid said: “Doing research is a privilege, finding something useful is a privilege, being recognised is a privilege. Only artists and writers are the sole owners of their discoveries. In science, we work together with other scientists and patients.”

He said the award was dedicated to everyone “who worked with me”.

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Insoluble clumps of the protein alpha-synuclein, which can cause damage to brain cells, have been previously linked to Parkinson’s. Now, scientists in Germany, France and the US have uncovered new details on how brain cells respond to these clusters. The researchers discovered that the brain’s immune cells may be able to join together to break down the protein clumps. According to a press release, this was previously unknown. They also found that these neighbouring cells share mitochondria – structures that generate energy for chemical reactions – to help one another. In certain mutations associated with Parkinson’s, this process may be impaired. The researchers hope this insight could inform the development of new therapies. “We have opened the door to a field that will certainly engage researchers for many years to come,” said Professor Dr Michael Heneka, director of the Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Geriatric Psychiatry at the University Hospital…

Could analysing skin oil help diagnose Parkinson’s disease?

Parkinson’s disease patients tend to have high levels of oil, known as sebum, on their skin’s surface. Now, a study has suggested that analysing this substance may help when diagnosing the condition. The study revealed that sebum contains significant amounts of genetic material, specifically the molecule ribonucleic acid (RNA). Analysis of RNA contained in sebum – that is, skin surface lipids RNA, or SSL-RNA – could offer insights into a person’s health. Researchers in Japan examined SSL-RNA in men and women with and without Parkinson’s. The results suggested that the SSL-RNA profiles of those with Parkinson’s had “different characteristics” than those without. The researchers then tested whether examining these profiles with machine learning could reveal those who had Parkinson’s – and who didn’t. The team’s algorithm indicated a “relatively robust discriminatory ability,” supporting the further use of SSL-RNA as part of a future “non-invasive” method for diagnosis.

‘Sonic hedgehog’ protein could impact Parkinson’s disease dyskinesia

Dyskinesia is often caused by extended use of the common Parkinson’s medication levodopa – and can be debilitating for those with the condition. Now, researchers in the US may have found a way to suppress these involuntary movements through a protein called ‘sonic hedgehog’. To conduct their study, the team administered levodopa and sonic hedgehog agonists to rodent and non-human primate models of the condition. The results revealed that dopamine neurons use the protein to communicate with other neurons thought to play a role in levodopa-induced dyskinesia. Increased signalling of sonic hedgehog pathways was found to reduce this dyskinesia – providing “novel insight” into its formation and a “potential therapeutic solution”. “What we find,” wrote corresponding study author Professor Andreas Kottmann, “is that in several animal models, by replacing … dopamine together with agonists that mimic the effects of sonic hedgehog, these dyskinesias can be very much suppressed.”

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European Inventor Award 2016: deep brain stimulation inventor wins research prize

News

Author: Almaz OhenePublished: 29 June 2016

Prep: Cook: Serves:

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Voice-assisted technology: a “virtual ally” in your home?

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“You’re superhuman up there”: Parkinson’s in space

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Parkinson’s boost in €10bn EU funding round

New insights on immune cell process and Parkinson’s disease

Could analysing skin oil help diagnose Parkinson’s disease?

‘Sonic hedgehog’ protein could impact Parkinson’s disease dyskinesia

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European Inventor Award 2016: deep brain stimulation inventor wins research prize

News

Author: Almaz OhenePublished: 29 June 2016

Last Month

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Share this story

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Advances

Voice-assisted technology: a “virtual ally” in your home?

Global update

“You’re superhuman up there”: Parkinson’s in space

Europe

Parkinson’s boost in €10bn EU funding round

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Could analysing skin oil help diagnose Parkinson’s disease?

‘Sonic hedgehog’ protein could impact Parkinson’s disease dyskinesia

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