Tofersen is often highlighted as being one of the most promising potential treatments for those living with MND. Our latest lay summary examines a scientific study into the impact of the drug, and it gives yet more encouraging results at its potential for slowing progress of the disease. There are some important challenges which cannot be overlooked and need more research.
Scientists investigating Parkinson’s are now examining whether a newly discovered brain network is a link between motor and non-motor symptoms of the Disease. Discovering more about these links could be key to developing effective ways of treating both impacts of the condition – and the initial findings suggest promising new avenues for both detection and management.
Scientists have looked whether there are biological signals for pain in the brain of those living with Parkinson’s Disease with the hope that, if there are, this can be used to improve treatments and quality of life.
A study has found that a specific immune “distress signal” drives harmful immune cells into muscles, where they damage the nerve-muscle connections which are affected in those living with MND. There are indications that blocking this signal directly in muscles protected those connections, suggesting a potential new treatment approach to help preserve movement.
Scientists have used lab-grown motor neurons made from stem cells from over 100 people with sporadic MND to see whether they could recreate key features of the disease and test possible treatments. In the study, researchers screened existing MND trial drugs and found that most did not help on their own – but there was more promise by using a combination of three different drugs.
Restoring blood flow to the brain after a stroke is the most effective way of protecting cells from permanent damage. But existing treatments are only effective within a very short time window. Scientists are looking at ways of extending this period so, no matter how quickly people are seen, there are effective solutions to improve patients’ prognoses. In this study, they have examined whether nanotechnology could be used to deliver the drug Selenium, which protects cells and is depleted during a stroke, more effectively and quickly to the brain.