Tag: 30/6/25

Categories : Injury & Trauma NeurologyTags :

Healing Spinal Cord Injuries with the Help of Electricity

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Heals spinal cord injuries with the help of electricity. Researchers have developed an ultra-thin implant that can be placed directly on the spinal cord. The implant delivers a carefully controlled electrical current across the injured area. In a recent study, researchers were able to observe how the electrical field treatment led to improved recovery in rats with spinal cord injuries, and that the animals regained movement and sensation. Please note that the image shows a newer model of the implant used in the study. Photo and illustration: University of Auckland

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden and the University of Auckland in New Zealand have developed a groundbreaking bioelectric implant that restores movement in rats after injuries to the spinal cord.

This breakthrough, published in Nature Communications, offers new hope for an effective treatment for humans suffering from loss of sensation and function due to spinal cord injury.

Electricity stimulated nerve fibres to reconnect

Before birth, and to a lesser extent afterwards, naturally occurring electric fields play a vital role in early nervous system development, encouraging and guiding the growth of nerve fibres along the spinal cord. Scientists are now harnessing this same electrical guidance system in the lab.

“We developed an ultra-thin implant designed to sit directly on the spinal cord, precisely positioned over the injury site in rats,” says Bruce Harland, senior research fellow, University of Auckland, and one of the lead researchers of the study.

The device delivers a carefully controlled electrical current across the injury site.

“The aim is to stimulate healing so people can recover functions lost through spinal cord injury,” says Professor Darren Svirskis, University of Auckland, Maria Asplund, Professor of bioelectronics at Chalmers University of Technology.

She is, together with Darren Svirskis, University of Auckland,

In the study, researchers observed how electrical field treatment improved the recovery of locomotion and sensation in rats with spinal cord injury. The findings offer renewed hope for individuals experiencing loss of function and sensation due to spinal cord injuries.

“Long-term, the goal is to transform this technology into a medical device that could benefit people living with life-changing spinal-cord injuries,” says Maria Asplund.

The study presents the first use of a thin implant that delivers stimulation in direct contact with the spinal cord, marking a groundbreaking advancement in the precision of spinal cord stimulation.

“This study offers an exciting proof of concept showing that electric field treatment can support recovery after spinal cord injury,” says doctoral student Lukas Matter, Chalmers University of Technology, the other lead researcher alongside Harland.

Improved mobility after four weeks

Unlike humans, rats have a greater capacity for spontaneous recovery after spinal cord injury, which allowed researchers to compare natural healing with healing supported by electrical stimulation.

After four weeks, animals that received daily electric field treatment showed improved movement compared with those who did not. Throughout the 12-week study, they responded more quickly to gentle touch.

“This indicates that the treatment supported recovery of both movement and sensation,” Harland says.

“Just as importantly, our analysis confirmed that the treatment did not cause inflammation or other damage to the spinal cord, demonstrating that it was not only effective but also safe,” Svirskis says.

The next step is to explore how different doses, including the strength, frequency, and duration of the treatment, affect recovery, to discover the most effective recipe for spinal-cord repair.

Source: Chalmers University of Technology

Categories : Ageing Metabolic DisordersTags :

Glucose Tolerance Levels Linked to Increased Life Expectancy

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Photo by Photomix Company on Pexels

It is well known that preventing the onset of diabetes reduces the risk of death, and that managing blood glucose levels is key to preventing diabetes. However, it remains unclear whether there are specific ranges within “normal” blood glucose levels that are associated with even lower mortality risks.

A small farming community in the Tohoku Region of northern Japan has possibly provided researchers with further insights.

For over 40 years, the Ohasama Study, named after a town in Iwate Prefecture, has tracked the long-term health of Ohasama’s local population. Since 1986, the study has collected health and medical data through regular checkups and tests.

As part of the study, participants have undergone a glucose tolerance test every four years. This test, which is commonly used to diagnose diabetes, measures blood glucose levels before and 120 minutes after drinking a glucose-containing beverage.

Now, a research team has analysed the glucose tolerance test data from the Ohasama Study, publishing their findings in the journal PNAS Nexus. Junta Imai and Hideki Katagiri from Tohoku University led the study.

“We first examined the relationship between mortality and various health test results, including but not limited to glucose tolerance tests, for 993 individuals,” explains Imai. “Even after adjusting for known risk factors such as age, obesity, and smoking, the one-hour post-glucose load blood glucose level showed a strong correlation with mortality.”

Participants were then divided into two groups based on the median one-hour post-glucose load blood glucose level of 162mg/dL. The survival analysis showed significantly better outcomes in the lower-glucose group.

Since some participants had already developed diabetes, the researchers narrowed their focus to 595 individuals with normal glucose tolerance. They analysed which glucose threshold had the strongest correlation with mortality and found that 170mg/dL was the most predictive.

Using this threshold, Imai and his colleagues conducted a survival analysis, comparing those with post-glucose load blood glucose levels below and above 170mg/dL. After 20 years, nearly 80% of the under-170mg/dL group were still alive, while almost 50% of the over-170mg/dL group had died – a statistically significant result.

Further analysis of cause-of-death data revealed that individuals with one-hour post-glucose load blood glucose levels under 170mg/dL had significantly fewer deaths due to heart disease caused by atherosclerosis (p < 0.0001) and malignant tumours (p < 0.0014) compared to those with higher levels.

“These findings demonstrate that even within the range considered ‘normal,’ there is a subset of blood glucose levels associated with a lower risk of death,” adds Imai. “Besides taking measures to prevent diabetes, greater efforts towards managing blood glucose spikes shortly after eating could help prevent heart disease and cancer, ultimately leading to longer, healthier lives.”

Source: Tohoku University

Categories : Lab Tests and Imaging Respiratory DiseasesTags :

Handheld TB Test for Low-cost Diagnosis in HIV Hotspots

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A new handheld tuberculosis testing device by Tulane University is the size of a credit card, requires no electricity and significantly improves detection of the disease in those with HIV. (Vincent Postle/Tulane University)

Current tuberculosis infection tests struggle to detect the disease in those with HIV. A common co-infection, HIV can hide TB from traditional tests by eliminating the immune cells relied upon to sound the alarm.

While more than 90% of the 2 billion TB cases worldwide are latent – symptom-free and not contagious – the weakening of the immune system in those with HIV can allow latent TB to turn active, increasing the potential for new infections to spread and often resulting in fatal outcomes. Tuberculosis is the leading cause of death among those with HIV worldwide.

Now, Tulane University researchers have developed a new handheld TB test that significantly improves detection in people with HIV, according to a new study in Nature Biomedical Engineering. Powered by a beetle-inspired chemical reaction, the device requires no electricity and addresses a critical gap in TB infection detection that has long hobbled efforts to eliminate the world’s deadliest infectious disease. 

“The goal was to develop a TB test that could be taken anywhere and provide quicker, more accurate results for anybody.”

Tony Hu, PhD

Dubbed the ASTRA (Antigen-Specific T-cell Response Assay), the credit card-sized device requires only a drop of blood to provide same day diagnoses without need for a laboratory or trained staff. When tested against the traditional IGRA blood test (Interferon-Gamma Release Assay), the ASTRA detected TB in HIV-infected individuals with 87% specificity compared to IGRA’s 60%, while also outperforming in detection of TB without HIV co-infection. 

“The goal was to develop a TB test that could be taken anywhere and provide quicker, more accurate results for anybody,” said senior author Tony Hu, PhD, Chair in Biotechnology Innovation at Tulane University and director of the Tulane Center for Cellular & Molecular Diagnostics. “Current tests such as the IGRA are cost-prohibitive or require access to facilities that resource-limited communities don’t have. If we are going to eliminate TB, we have to diagnose and treat as many infection cases as possible.”

Added Bo Ning, lead author and assistant professor of biochemistry at Tulane University School of Medicine: “If your community has an immunocompromised population, someone may have latent TB.  This can help block the spread of TB and ensure that no one slips through the cracks.” 

To create a test that would not be stymied by HIV, the researchers identified two new biomarkers that could detect TB without relying on the immune cells susceptible to the virus. 

After adding a drop of blood to the device, it must incubate for 4 hours to allow a preloaded reagent to stimulate a response from the immune cells. The reagent acts as a “wanted poster” asking if they’ve seen tuberculosis bacteria before. 

To avoid the use of electricity, the researchers looked to an unlikely source for inspiration: the bombardier beetle. When threatened, these large insects combine two chemicals, and the resulting reaction produces a forceful spray. Similarly, two chemicals in the ASTRA are combined to propel the sample across a chip for final analysis and diagnosis. 

The new device delivers results in about 4 hours, compared to the IGRA, which takes 24 hours, and a common TB skin test, which can take between two and three days for a diagnosis. 

The ASTRA’s performance was validated using samples collected from a cohort in Eswatini, a country with high TB incidence and the highest reported HIV prevalence (27.3%) worldwide.

Increasing testing accuracy, access and speed is even more vital as TB resistance to drugs grows more robust, Hu said. 

“The sooner you have a diagnosis, the sooner you can begin the process of determining proper treatment,” Hu said. “TB is the No. 1 pathogen HIV patients worry about globally. If treatment is available, we should be working to kill these bacteria, latent or not.”

Source: Tulane University

Categories : Neurodegenerative Diseases VaccinesTags :

RSV Vaccine Reduces the Risk of Dementia, New Research Shows

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Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash

A new study by the University of Oxford, published in the journal npj Vaccines, shows that a vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is associated with a 29% reduction in dementia risk in the following 18 months. The findings suggest a novel explanation for how vaccines produce this effect.

Recent studies have shown convincingly that vaccines against shingles (Herpes zoster) reduce the risk of dementia. The shingles vaccine now in widespread use (Shingrix) has more of an effect than the previous one (Zostavax). A key difference between these vaccines is that Shingrix contains an ‘adjuvant’, an ingredient designed to enhance the vaccine’s effect. It is therefore possible that the adjuvant contributes to Shingrix’ greater effect than Zostavax on reducing dementia.

The new study, supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre (OH BRC), supports this possibility. Researchers analysed the health records of over 430 000 people in the USA in the TriNetX network. They found that the Arexvy vaccine – which protects against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common virus that causes cold-like symptoms – was also linked to a significantly lower risk of developing dementia. Arexvy, now offered to adults over 60, contains the same adjuvant as Shingrix. Both vaccines were similarly effective in reducing dementia risk compared to the flu vaccine (which does not contain the adjuvant); in the 18 months following receipt of Arexvy there was a 29% reduction in diagnoses of dementia. These findings held true across a range of additional analyses and were similar in men and women.

It is not clear how the adjuvant, called AS01, might help lower the risk of dementia. However, laboratory studies show that AS01 stimulates cells of the immune system that could help protect the brain from some of the harmful processes underlying dementia. These benefits of the adjuvant in reducing dementia risk could be in addition to the protection that comes from preventing infections like shingles and RSV themselves.

It is not yet known whether these vaccines prevent dementia or, more likely, delay its onset. Either way, the effect is significant, especially given that no other treatments are known that delay or prevent the condition.

The likely beneficial effect on dementia risk is in addition to the vaccines’ proven ability to prevent shingles and RSV, both of which are unpleasant and sometimes serious illnesses.

Lead author, Associate Professor Maxime Taquet, NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, said: “Our findings show that vaccines against two separate viruses, shingles and RSV, both lead to reductions in dementia. This gives another reason to have the vaccines, in addition to their effectiveness at preventing these serious illnesses.’

Senior author, Professor Paul Harrison, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford and Co-Lead for the Molecular Targets theme in OH BRC, said: ‘The findings are striking. We need studies to confirm whether the adjuvant present in some vaccines contributes to the reduced dementia risk, and to understand how it does so.’

Source: Oxford University

Categories : CancerTags :

New Clues Towards the Treatment of Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

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Scanning electron micrograph of red blood cells, T cells (orange) and platelets (green). Source: Wikimedia CC0

Northwestern Medicine scientists have uncovered key details about a group of rare but serious blood disorders, which may help inform potential treatments, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.  

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are rare blood cancers characterised by the abnormal growth of blood cells. They have long been linked to a key signalling pathway called JAK2/STAT, but the specific details of how they develop have remained unclear. 

“These diseases are often driven by abnormal activation of a protein called JAK2,” said Peng Ji, MD, PhD, ‘15 GME, Professor of Pathology and senior author of the study. “In earlier research, we discovered that another protein, PLEK2, acts downstream of JAK2 and plays a critical role in mediating JAK2’s effects, helping to drive the progression of MPNs.” 

In the current study, Ji and his collaborators aimed to better understand the proteins that work alongside PLEK2, also known as the PLEK2 “signalosome.” 

By analysing protein expression in cultured human blood stem cells, the investigators identified a new contributor, PPIL2, that appears to help cancer cells grow by disabling the tumour suppressor protein p53. 

Under normal conditions, p53 works as a tumour suppressor protein that prevents excessive cell growth. PPIL2 effectively marks p53 for degradation, weakening its ability to control cell growth and allowing the disease to advance, according to the findings. 

Investigators found that blocking PPIL2 using cyclosporin A, an immunosuppressant drug commonly used for organ transplant patients, led to an increase in p53 levels, restoring its ability to regulate cell growth. In experiments using MPN models — including mice with a mutated JAK2 gene and lab-grown human bone marrow — cyclosporin A significantly reduced the abnormal proliferation of blood cells, according to the findings. 

“Even better results were seen when cyclosporin A was combined with another type of drug that also boosts p53,” said Ji. “This shows that targeting PPIL2 might be a powerful new way to treat MPNs using drugs that are already available.” 

While more research is needed to fully understand how cyclosporin A works in MPN patients, this study highlights a promising new target for treatment, Ji said.  

Now, Ji and his laboratory are planning to work on developing drugs that more specifically block PPIL2, since cyclosporin A affects many proteins and can have unwanted effects.  

“Clinical studies will be needed to test whether this approach works in people, possibly starting by looking at how MPN patients respond to cyclosporin A if they’ve already been treated with it,” Ji said.  

Source: Northwestern University

Categories : Cardiovascular Disease NeurologyTags :

Early Anticoagulants Found to be Safe and Effective for AF Stroke Patients

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Ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke. Credit: Scientific Animations CC4.0

Patients with atrial fibrillation who have experienced a stroke would benefit greatly from earlier treatment than is currently recommended in UK guidelines, finds a new study led by UCL researchers.

The results of the CATALYST study, published in The Lancet, included data from four randomised trials with a total of 5441 patients across the UK, Switzerland, Sweden and the United States, who had all experienced a recent stroke (between 2017-2024) due to a blocked artery and atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat).

Patients had either started medication early (within four days of their stroke) or later (after five days or more).

The researchers found that starting direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs, which thin the blood to prevent it from clotting as quickly) within four days of having a stroke was safe, with no increase in bleeding into the brain. Additionally, early initiation of treatment significantly reduced the risk of another stroke due to bleeding or artery blockage by 30% compared to those who started treatment later.

People with atrial fibrillation who have had a stroke have an increased risk of having another stroke, but this risk can be reduced by taking anticoagulants.

Anticoagulants come with the rare but dangerous side effect of bleeding into the brain, and there is a lack of evidence about when is best to start taking them after a stroke. Current UK guidelines are varied, suggesting that those who have had a moderate or severe stroke should wait at least five days before starting blood-thinning treatments.

To tackle this question, the researchers investigated the impact of early compared to delayed anticoagulant treatment.

Chief Investigator, Professor David Werring (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology) said: “Our new study supports the early initiation of DOACs in clinical practice, offering better protection against further strokes for a wide range of patients.”

The researchers now hope that their findings will influence clinical guidelines and improve outcomes for stroke patients worldwide.

First author and main statistician, Dr Hakim-Moulay Dehbi (UCL Comprehensive Clinical Trials Unit), said: “By systematically combining the data from four clinical trials, we have identified with increased confidence, compared to the individual trials, that early DOAC initiation is effective.”

The CATALYST study builds on findings from the British Heart Foundation funded OPTIMAS study – where the UCL-led research team analysed 3621 patients with atrial fibrillation who had had a stroke between 2019 and 2024, across 100 UK hospitals.

Half of the participants began anticoagulant treatment within four days of their stroke (early), and the other half started treatment seven to 14 days after having a stroke (delayed). Patients were followed up after 90 days to assess several outcomes including whether they went on to have another stroke and whether they experienced bleeding in the brain.

Both the early and late groups experienced a similar number of recurrent strokes. Early treatment was found to be effective and did not increase the risk of a bleed into the brain.

Professor Nick Freemantle, Senior Investigator and Director of the UCL Comprehensive Clinical Trials Unit (CCTU) that co-ordinated the OPTIMAS trial, said: “The benefits of early initiation of blood-thinning treatment are clear: patients receive the definitive and effective long-term stroke prevention therapy promptly, rather than waiting. This approach ensures that crucial treatments are not delayed or missed, particularly for patients who are discharged from the hospital.”

Study limitations

The timing for starting blood-thinning medication was based on previous trial designs (such as OPTIMAS), which may not cover all possible scenarios. Additionally, not all participants were randomised to the same timing groups, so some data was excluded. Lastly, the study didn’t include many patients with very severe strokes, so the findings might not apply to those cases.

Source: University College London