International programme seeks innovative health tech solutions

News

Author: Saskia MairPublished: 11 June 2020

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Zambon Open Accelerator 2019 awards ceremony

Open Accelerator, an international programme supporting digital healthcare technologies that improve patient experience, has launched its 2020 ‘Call for Solutions’.

Created by Zcube, the research venture of Italian pharmaceutical company Zambon, the accelerator focuses on four key areas: ‘digital prevention, monitoring and therapeutics’, ‘digital diagnostics’, ‘virtual health’ and ‘clinical trials digitalisation’. Successful applicants will take part in a four-week programme, and could win up to EUR €100,000 seed investment for their project. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, a ‘Special Challenge’ will be dedicated to new forms of communication in healthcare.

Elena Zambon, creator of the programme said: “Digital solutions have never been such a vital support for patients and caregivers as they have at this time.

“This programme is yet another way in which we are pursuing with conviction our commitment to improving patients’ lives, integrating cure and care with a multidisciplinary approach.”

Submissions are open until 20 July 2020. To find out more about how to apply visit the Open Accelerator website.

For more information on the latest Parkinson’s research please visit the EPDA website.

Diesel exhaust fumes may increase the risk of Parkinson’s, study suggests

Last Month

Next Month

Go Back

Share this story

Comments

Special reports

Reimagining Parkinson’s healthcare: a patient-focused plan

A recent report suggests eight ways to improve Parkinson’s treatment

Meet the ultra-athlete who clocked up 14,000 miles and $2m for Parkinson’s

Sam Fox: hiking, climbing and biking my way to raising $2m

Advances

Deep brain stimulation: the future is personalised

Two experts on how “dual targeting” is changing DBS treatment for Parki

Is sleepwalking linked to risk of Parkinson’s disease in men?

Men who sleepwalk may be at a greater risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, according to a new study from researchers in the US. The team assessed Mayo Clinic sleep questionnaire survey answers from 25,694 men, 1% of whom had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. They found that men who experienced sleepwalking were four times more likely to have Parkinson’s, and those with probable REM sleep behaviour disorder – a condition where sleepers experience sudden body movements while dreaming – were six times more likely. For those who experienced both sleepwalking and REM sleep behaviour disorder, the risk increased to eight times more likely. “We need further studies to understand this,” said senior author, Dr Xiang Gao. “Particularly to see whether sleepwalking occurs before Parkinson’s onset, and the number of individuals with sleepwalking who eventually develop Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.”

Stay tuned for series two of the Parkinson’s Life podcast

The award-winning Parkinson’s Life podcast is back this month. Helping to amplify the voices of the international Parkinson’s community, the podcast has so far reached more than 12,000 people around the world. Thanks to the support of pharmaceutical companies, and the backing of a grant from the Boston Scientific Foundation Europe, the second series will bring together people with Parkinson’s disease and experts in their field to explore topics such as sleep hygiene, exercise and mental health, and to offer advice to listeners. Sandrine Bazile, president of the Boston Scientific Foundation Europe, says: “We fully support this project because it mirrors perfectly our mission to improve patient wellbeing using innovative solutions. We believe in the importance of the [Parkinson’s Life] podcast series, with its aim to improve the information and education available to people with Parkinson’s and their families – to help them live life to the full.”

How Parkinson’s disease could impact the way you see art

A new study from a team at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, US, has indicated that Parkinson’s disease could affect the way people experience art. The researchers asked 43 people with the condition and 40 controls to make judgements about 10 paintings by American artist Jackson Pollock and 10 by Dutch painter Piet Mondrian, rating them according to factors including liking, beauty, motion, complexity and colour-saturation. The participants with Parkinson’s showed more of a preference for ‘high-motion’ art. They also showed a lower recognition of movement compared to controls, suggesting that the brain’s motor system may help interpret movement from static visual cues. However, the research team noted that many of the participants were on their usual medication, and that the impact of dopamine agonists on the experience of art would also need to be considered.

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.

International programme seeks innovative health tech solutions

News

Author: Saskia MairPublished: 11 June 2020

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Special reports

Reimagining Parkinson’s healthcare: a patient-focused plan

Interviews

Meet the ultra-athlete who clocked up 14,000 miles and $2m for Parkinson’s

sponsored article

Advances

Deep brain stimulation: the future is personalised

Is sleepwalking linked to risk of Parkinson’s disease in men?

Stay tuned for series two of the Parkinson’s Life podcast

How Parkinson’s disease could impact the way you see art

{title}

Subscribe

International programme seeks innovative health tech solutions

News

Author: Saskia MairPublished: 11 June 2020

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

Next Month

Share this story

Comments

Related articles

Special reports

Reimagining Parkinson’s healthcare: a patient-focused plan

Interviews

Meet the ultra-athlete who clocked up 14,000 miles and $2m for Parkinson’s

sponsored article

Advances

Deep brain stimulation: the future is personalised

Is sleepwalking linked to risk of Parkinson’s disease in men?

Stay tuned for series two of the Parkinson’s Life podcast

How Parkinson’s disease could impact the way you see art

{title}

Subscribe

Sign in