Tag: Motor and impulse regulation

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INTEGRATING EXPOSURE AND RESPONSE PREVENTION AND HABIT REVERSAL TECHNIQUES TO TREAT A TOURETTIC SUBTYPE OF OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER (TOURETTIC OCD).

Conditions: Obsessive – Compulsive Disorder; Tic Disorder, Chronic Motor or Vocal; Tic Disorders; Tic Disorder, Combined Vocal and Multiple Motor; Tourette Disease; Tourette Disorder; Tourettes Syndrome; Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome

Interventions: Behavioral: Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP); Behavioral: Habit Reversal Training (HbRT; Behavioral: Psychoeducation and Supportive Intervention

Sponsors: University College London Hospitals

Recruiting
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Catastrophic consequences of prolonged immobilization after intracerebral hemorrhage: a case report of crush syndrome combined with capillary leak syndrome

BackgroundSpontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage is a neurological emergency with high mortality and disability rates. Prolonged immobilization after stroke can trigger severe systemic complications. The simultaneous occurrence of crush syndrome and capillary leak syndrome in the setting of acute intracerebral hemorrhage is extremely rare and life-threatening, and no established treatment protocol exists.Case summaryA 64-year-old man with hypertension was found unconscious on his home floor. The estimated time from onset to discovery exceeded 24 h. He was diagnosed with left basal ganglia intracerebral hemorrhage of approximately 5.6 mL with intraventricular extension. On admission, he was comatose with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 9. Systemic involvement was extensive: severe bilateral leg swelling with multiple tension bullae, acute kidney injury requiring continuous renal replacement therapy, severe rhabdomyolysis with a peak creatine kinase exceeding 50,000 U/L, hyperkalemia, with an initial arterial blood gas in the emergency department showing 6.9 mEq/L, elevated liver enzymes, and distributive shock. Admission central venous pressure was negative, strongly indicating severe hypovolemia. Chest CT already showed hypostatic pneumonia. The clinical presentation was consistent with crush syndrome from prolonged compression, which then led to secondary capillary leak syndrome. The patient underwent emergency neuroendoscopic hematoma evacuation and external ventricular drainage. Postoperatively, he developed atrial fibrillation and deep vein thrombosis. After 3 weeks of multidisciplinary intensive care, his liver and kidney function gradually improved, and the hypostatic pneumonia was controlled. He survived to discharge with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 11, left limb muscle strength grade 3/5, and right limb muscle strength grade 0/5, and was transferred to a local hospital for continued rehabilitation. At 3-month follow-up, he was walking independently (mRS 2), with significant improvements in neurological function and quality of life.ConclusionThis case reveals a frequently overlooked but deadly clinical pathway: prolonged immobilization after intracerebral hemorrhage can lead to traumatic rhabdomyolysis, crush syndrome, and secondary capillary leak syndrome. A negative central venous pressure, a rare finding, provided supportive evidence of severe hypovolemia due to capillary leak syndrome. This clinical triad represents a unique high-risk condition that demands a shift in treatment philosophy from neurocentric care to systemic resuscitation.
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Parkinson’s Drug Candidate Enhances Levodopa Therapy While Reducing Side Effects

Scientists have identified a compound that could improve the benefits of levodopa treatment for patients with Parkinson’s disease while delaying or preventing side effects that commonly develop with long-term use. The discovery was made at Sinopia Biosciences, a spinout of the University of California San Diego that analyzes large biological datasets to identify novel therapeutic approaches for preventing and managing side effects of existing drugs.

Preclinical findings published today in Science Translational Medicine suggest the drug candidate could significantly enhance the performance of the most effective and widely used treatment for Parkinson’s. If confirmed in clinical trials, the approach could represent a major advancement in the treatment of this increasingly prevalent neurodegenerative condition.

Levodopa can dramatically improve Parkinson’s symptoms, especially during the early stages of the disease. Over time, however, its effects start wearing off between doses, and within five years of treatment, about 40% of patients develop dyskinesia—a complication involving erratic and involuntary movements. Amantadine is currently the only approved drug to treat dyskinesia induced by levodopa, but its psychiatric and vascular side effects significantly limit its use. 

“Virtually every Parkinson’s patient takes levodopa,” said Aarash Bordbar, PhD, chief executive officer, chief scientific officer and co-founder of Sinopia Biosciences. “But patients face two major problems with the drug: the reappearance of Parkinson’s symptoms and dyskinesia. There is no drug that can be added to levodopa to address both simultaneously in a robust manner, and that’s what our drug candidate is doing.”

Bordbar’s team analyzed transcriptomics data to understand how levodopa changes gene expression patterns in the striatum, a brain region involved in movement control. The results were compared with a dataset of gene expression changes induced by existing drugs, allowing the researchers to identify compounds that activated the same transcriptional programs responsible for levodopa’s motor benefits while opposing gene expression programs linked to dyskinesia side effects. 

“Maximizing clinical benefits of therapeutics while minimizing adverse effects is a central challenge in drug development,” said Bordbar. “By focusing on the pharmacology of an effective drug rather than disease biology alone, the approach prioritizes pathways with demonstrated clinical relevance, increasing translational potential.” 

The team identified a promising candidate in trapidil, a drug that has been used for over 50 years in Japan to treat angina. The drug targets PKA-III, a protein involved in movement and dopamine responses within the brain. The researchers then designed a new compound based on trapidil and tested it in mouse and macaque models of Parkinson’s disease.

Results showed that the drug candidate could offer a dual benefit to Parkinson’s patients, simultaneously improving the motor benefits of levodopa while delaying or preventing treatment-related complications—potentially benefiting both long-term users and patients who are newly starting levodopa therapy.

Based on these findings, Bordbar believes there’s a high chance Sinopia’s drug candidate will succeed in clinical trials. This is further supported by the fact the compound is based on a drug that has been safely used for decades. The company is currently completing the toxicology studies required ahead of the first-in-human clinical trial, which is expected to begin next year. 

The post Parkinson’s Drug Candidate Enhances Levodopa Therapy While Reducing Side Effects appeared first on Inside Precision Medicine.

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BFRBs vs. OCD: Similarities and Differences

This blog was originally posted by the TLC Foundation for BFRBs

Body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are two distinct mental health conditions that share some similarities but also have significant differences. BFRBs involve repetitive, self-grooming behaviors that can cause physical damage, such as hair pulling or skin picking. On the other hand, OCD is a condition characterized by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) performed to alleviate anxiety. 

While both conditions involve repetitive behaviors and can impact daily life, their underlying mechanisms, triggers, and treatment approaches differ. This article explores the key similarities and differences between BFRBs and OCD to better understand these complex conditions.

Similarities Between BFRBs and OCD

Most professionals view BFRBs and OCD as similar conditions due to the similarity in symptoms, such as compulsivity and repetitive behaviors. These two conditions share several similar systems and are usually a reaction to triggering factors such as stress and anxiety. Below are some of their similarities.

Repetitive Behaviors

Individuals dealing with BFRBs often engage in various repetitive behaviors such as hair pulling, lip biting, or skin picking. These actions are usually challenging to control and are frequently triggered by stress or anxiety. One may indulge in the habit subconsciously to find instant relief from the trigger. 

Individuals with OCD often experience intrusive thoughts that result in repetitive behaviors known as compulsions. Some common compulsions include washing hands and repetitively checking or counting to alleviate the stress caused by obsessive thoughts. In both conditions, the repetitive behaviors are often exacerbated by stress and anxiety, and individuals may adapt these behaviors as a coping mechanism.

Impulse Control

Closely related to repetitive behaviors is the concept of impulse control. Both BFRBs and OCD involve challenges in this area, albeit in different ways. Individuals with BFRBs and OCD may find it hard to control the urge to perform repetitive behaviors. This is because these repetitive behaviors often relieve tension. Despite knowing the consequences of these behaviors, the desire to indulge in them is usually irresistible. 

For example, individuals with BFRBs understand that hair pulling may affect their appearance, but they cannot refrain from doing it. OCD occurs as a result of intrusive thoughts whereby one believes that if they do not perform a specific action, the stressor won’t go away. These intrusive thoughts often cause anxiety, which can be eased by engaging in the said repetitive behavior.

Onset and Course

Having examined the behavioral aspects, let’s now consider how these conditions develop over time. The onset of these two conditions shares several similarities regarding age, triggers, and psychological mechanisms. 

The onset of both conditions is usually during childhood or adolescence and often coincides with various developmental changes and stressors. For individuals with BFRBs, the repetitive behaviors alleviate stress and anxiety instantly. At the same time, for those with OCD, performing the compulsions temporarily relieves them from the stress caused by their intrusive thoughts. The cognitive patterns involve repetitive actions, intrusive thoughts, and a lack of impulse control. In BFRBs, the urge to engage in these repetitive behaviors can be intrusive and persistent, while in OCD, one’s obsessions create a sense of urgency, which leads to the adoption of compulsive actions.

Neurobiological Factors

To fully understand the similarities between BFRBs and OCD, we must delve deeper into their biological underpinnings. Both conditions have a genetic origin and are associated with neurobiological factors. Neurobiological studies indicate that the impulse control and emotional regulation difficulties for people with BFRBs and OCD are often caused by abnormalities in brain regions that are responsible for impulse control and habit formation. Therefore, the underlying brain mechanism may result in the onset and development of both conditions. It is not uncommon for individuals to have both BFRBs and OCD or for both conditions to coincide with other mental health conditions, usually depression and anxiety. The overlap is generally because they typically share common underlying factors that play a part in their severity and development.

Differences Between OCD and BFRBs

While BFRBs and OCD share several commonalities, it’s equally important to understand their distinct characteristics, from the symptoms to the underlying mechanisms. Let’s explore the key differences that distinguish these two conditions.

Nature of the Behavior

First and foremost, let’s examine how the behaviors associated with each condition differ in their fundamental nature. Individuals dealing with these two conditions adopt diverse behaviors as coping mechanisms for their triggers. In BFRBs, the behaviors adopted, such as trichotillomania (hair-pulling) or cheek-biting, usually result in physical harm. However, regardless of the consequences, one always feels relieved when picking their skin or pulling their hair. 

OCD, on the other hand, involves a wide range of compulsions, from washing to organizing, checking, and counting. Compulsive behaviors are performed due to intrusive thoughts that make one think that if they fail to indulge in a specific behavior, they might get hurt, or there might be other negative consequences.

Presence of Obsessions

Another crucial distinction lies in the cognitive processes behind these behaviors. Generally, BFRBs do not involve obsessive thoughts. The primary focus on BFRBs is usually more on the physical behavior and not the fear of specific consequences. 

However, the major characteristic of OCD is intrusive thoughts, which increase the urge to indulge in particular behaviors for relief. The thoughts are usually persistent with unwanted images that result in distress. 

People with BFRBs DO NOT report that if they do not pick on their skin, something terrible will happen. Instead, they report that picking or pulling their hair helps relieve them from intense and negative emotions. These behaviors, therefore, serve a self-regulatory function, unlike in OCD, where the repetitive behavior calms them from their intrusive thoughts.

Triggers

The nature of triggers for each condition is closely related to the presence or absence of obsessions. The primary trigger in BFRBs is stress and anxiety, but for OCD, the main trigger is intrusive thoughts, which then result in anxiety. OCD and BFRBs triggers differ in several ways, often resulting in different outcomes. OCD triggers often result in one taking measures to prevent harm, while for BFRBs, one uses the adopted behaviors to regulate and manage intense emotions. The nature of thoughts is an essential distinguishing factor, seeing as OCD involves intrusive and obsessive thoughts that trigger specific behaviors adopted to prevent harm. The purpose of compulsions in OCD is to reduce the anxiety caused by the obsessive thoughts, while in BFRBs, the behaviors are for emotional relief.

Awareness

Beyond triggers, the level of conscious awareness also differentiates these two conditions. Those dealing with BFRBs usually find themselves biting their nails or even pulling their hair subconsciously. Individuals with OCD are generally aware of their intrusive thoughts and are compelled to adopt specific behaviors as a response to these thoughts. Individuals with OCD are often aware of their compulsions and understand when they are being irrational, but they are unable to control themselves. Compared to people with OCD, those with BFRBs often find their behaviors more rewarding than distressing.

Treatment

Finally, while both conditions may benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy, the specific approach to treatment varies significantly. For individuals with BFRBs, the focus is on behavior modification and awareness, achieved through habit reversal training. For OCD, the emphasis is often placed on exposure to anxiety-provoking thoughts to help an individual tolerate anxiety, which prevents compulsive behavior.

Bottom Line 

While BFRBs and OCD can coexist, they are distinct disorders with unique manifestations despite sharing some similarities. The key distinctions between these conditions are evident in their underlying mechanisms and treatment approaches.

Both involve compulsive behaviors, but their purposes differ. BFRBs primarily serve as subconscious tools for emotional regulation. OCD compulsions are conscious attempts to alleviate anxiety and prevent perceived harmful consequences. BFRB behaviors often occur with limited conscious awareness, while OCD sufferers are typically more aware of their compulsive actions.

Both conditions can significantly affect daily functioning and social interactions.BFRBs may lead to physical injuries and lowered self-esteem due to visible effects. OCD can cause severe anxiety and time-consuming rituals that interfere with daily activities.BFRB treatment emphasizes behavior modification and awareness techniques, while OCD treatment often involves exposure therapy to reduce anxiety responses.

Understanding these distinctions is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. While both conditions present challenges, with proper support and intervention, individuals with BFRBs or OCD can learn to manage their symptoms and improve their overall quality of life.

The post BFRBs vs. OCD: Similarities and Differences appeared first on International OCD Foundation.

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Probing the linguistic cerebellum: a qualitative review of the effects of cerebellar neurostimulation on language processing

The cerebellum has historically been underrepresented in language research. However, converging evidence from lesion and neuroimaging studies supports its crucial involvement in phonological and semantic aspects of language processing, highlighting the relevance of cerebro-cerebellar circuits in language-related functions. Likewise, cerebellar neurostimulation has emerged as a promising tool for modulating sensorimotor and higher-order cognitive processes. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed and Web of Science following PRISMA guidelines and the present review synthesizes findings from 30 neurostimulation studies probing the causal role of the cerebellum for language processing. It summarizes transcranial electric and magnetic stimulation studies in neurotypical speakers and readers, and individuals with higher-order language disorders. Special emphasis is placed on studies combining cerebellar stimulation with behavioral interventions to assess the potential of improving language-related outcomes in clinical populations. Collectively, these studies support the role of the right posterolateral cerebellum as a key modulator of language functions, especially meaning-related operations.
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The Download: a donor conception cap and world models for AI

This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology.

Sperm donors need limits, says a European fertility group

Ties van der Meer doesn’t know how many siblings he has. The 47-year-old was conceived at a private fertility clinic using sperm from an anonymous donor. He eventually tracked down one sibling, but he may have others he’ll never find. 

Other donor-conceived people have found they have tens or even hundreds of them. “It does make you feel a bit mass-produced,” said one who discovered they had 25 half-siblings.

In response, a European fertility organization says we need international limits on the number of children a single donor can contribute to. 

Find out what their proposal could achieve—and where it may fall short. 

—Jessica Hamzelou

This story is from The Checkup, our weekly biotech newsletter. Sign up to receive it in your inbox every Thursday.

How will AI understand the real world?

LLMs have transformed what AI can do with language, but helping machines understand and operate within physical spaces presents a different challenge. In response, researchers are developing a new form of artificial intelligence: world models.

At a LinkedIn Live event tomorrow, MIT Technology Review will explore how this technology could shape the future of robotics and open one of AI’s next major frontiers. Join Will Douglas Heaven, our senior editor for AI, and Sam Sinha, founding AI researcher and head of world models at 1X Technologies, for the conversation on Tuesday, July 14. 

Register here to attend the free session at 9:30 PDT, 12:30 PM EDT, and 5:30 PM BST. 

The must-reads

I’ve combed the internet to find you today’s most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.

1 Apple has sued OpenAI for allegedly stealing trade secrets
OpenAI purportedly stole IP to develop its own consumer hardware. (CNBC)
+ The suit claims OpenAI poached Apple staff to access the information. (BBC)
+ And requested trade secrets in job interviews with Apple workers. (Guardian)
+ Apple also sued two former employees, Chang Liu and Tang Tan. (Reuters $)

2 A Nobel-winning chemist is leaving the US to lead an AI lab in China
Omar Yaghi will head an institute using AI to discover new materials. (LA Times $)
+ He won a Nobel Prize in Chemistry for creating “molecular sponges.” (NYT $)
+ His departure comes as China tries to woo US scientists. (Nature)
+ The White House has slashed science spending. (MIT Technology Review)
 
3 The EU is moving closer to banning children from social media
It’s proposed barring under-13s unless supervised by an adult. (NYT $)
+ And limiting access for older children. (Bloomberg $)
+ The EU has also told Meta to disable autoplay and infinite scroll. (Politico $)
 
4 Meta scrapped an AI image feature on Instagram after a backlash
It allowed users to generate images based on public accounts. (TechCrunch)
+ And automatically opted in any Instagram user with a public account. (NYT $)
+ AI memories are privacy’s next frontier. (MIT Technology Review)
 
5 Phoebe Gates’ shopping app claimed credit for sales it didn’t drive
Phia claimed unearned affiliate sales through fake clicks. (Bloomberg $)
+ Cofounder Gates is the daughter of Microsoft cofounder Bill. (Engadget)
 
6 Leaked police drone footage exposes the new reality of surveillance
Hours of San Francisco Police video were accidentally released. (Wired $)
+ Surveillance from drones is on the rise in the US. (MIT Technology Review)
 
7 Over two-thirds of Americans back a Sanders-style AI ownership plan
A poll found strong support for public ownership of AI stock. (Gizmodo)
+ Tech firms have their own takes on the idea. (MIT Technology Review)

8 AI may soon make campaign text messages more potent—and irritating
AI platforms are training bots to sound like political candidates. (NPR)

9 An orbiting disco ball gave Einstein’s theory its most precise test yet  
It measured Earth’s twisting of space-time more precisely. (Rest of World)

10 Australia’s biggest radio hit may be the product of GenAI
Musicians are questioning how the song was made. (Guardian)

Quote of the day

“LOL, I found out I can access the [network storage], so funny.” 

—A text message sent by former Apple engineer Chang Liu to a colleague, which a new lawsuit alleges was part of a scheme to steal hardware IP for OpenAI.

One More Thing

view of an unmanned sub from the nose
Colombian military officials intercepted this 40-foot-long uncrewed fiberglass “narco sub” in the ocean just off Tayrona National Park.
CARLOS PARRA RIOS


How uncrewed narco subs could transform the Colombian drug trade

On a bright April morning in 2025, a surveillance plane operated by the Colombian military spotted a 40-foot-long “narco sub” idling in the Caribbean Sea. The stealthy vessel, used by drug cartels to move cocaine north, could sail with its hull almost entirely underwater.

After seizing the boat, the coast guard noticed something unusual: there was no one on board. This was Colombia’s first confirmed uncrewed narco sub, operable by remote control, but also capable of a degree of autonomous travel.

Uncrewed subs could move more cocaine over longer distances, and they won’t put human smugglers at risk of capture. Find out how they may transform the drug trade.

— Eduardo Echeverri López

We can still have nice things

A place for comfort, fun, and distraction to brighten up your day. (Got any ideas? Drop me a line.)

+ Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” has been reinvented as a yacht rock track.
+ Two super-puff planets lighter than cotton candy have been spotted floating through space.
+ An inventor has given Tic Tac fans (like Donald Trump) a solution to the box’s annoying rattling in their pockets.
+ Imbibe a dose of adrenaline with this first-person footage of a rider on heart-pounding Red Bull Genova Cerro Abajo.

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Brain Scans Reveal Dopamine Damage in Long COVID, Pointing to New Treatments

New brain imaging research has provided the strongest evidence to date that long COVID is associated with injury to the brain’s dopamine system, offering a potential biological explanation for persistent symptoms such as fatigue, slowed movement, lack of motivation, and memory problems.

The study, published in eBioMedicine by researchers at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Canada, used positron emission tomography (PET) imaging to examine dopamine-releasing neurons in people with long COVID. The findings suggest that reduced dopamine nerve terminal density in key brain regions may underlie many of the neurological symptoms experienced by patients and identify a potential therapeutic target for future treatments.

Long COVID is estimated to affect approximately nine million adults in the United States and about 5% of the global population, making it one of the most common chronic conditions to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. The condition is characterized by symptoms that persist for at least three months after the initial SARS-CoV-2 infection and commonly includes fatigue, brain fog, memory impairment, and mood changes. Despite its prevalence, there are currently no evidence-based treatments, largely because the biological mechanisms driving these symptoms remain poorly understood.

To investigate whether the brain’s dopamine system is involved, the researchers used PET imaging to measure a well-established marker of dopamine neuron integrity in individuals with long COVID and healthy control participants.

Compared with healthy volunteers, participants with long COVID had significantly lower levels of the dopamine neuron marker throughout the striatum, a brain region that plays a central role in motivation, movement, learning, and cognition. The reduced signal indicates a loss of dopamine nerve terminal density, providing direct evidence that dopamine-releasing neurons are injured in long COVID.

The imaging findings also closely matched patients’ clinical symptoms. Lower dopamine markers in the ventral striatum were associated with greater loss of motivation, reductions in the dorsal putamen correlated with slower movement, and lower marker levels in the caudate were linked to poorer memory performance. The pattern suggests that damage within specific regions of the dopamine system may contribute to distinct neurological symptoms experienced by people with long COVID.

The findings build on the research group’s earlier work demonstrating elevated inflammation in the brains of people with long COVID, particularly in regions rich in dopamine-producing neurons. Because inflammation is known to damage dopamine neurons in other neurological disorders, the new study provides direct evidence that this inflammatory process may be accompanied by measurable injury to the brain’s dopamine system. The close relationship between dopamine neuron loss and symptom severity further strengthens the case that dopamine dysfunction plays a central role in the condition.

The study also shifts attention beyond inflammation alone and suggests that long COVID should be considered, at least in part, a disorder affecting the brain’s dopamine system. That conclusion has important therapeutic implications because several medications already approved for other neurological disorders increase dopamine availability or enhance dopamine signaling. The researchers suggest that repurposing dopamine precursors or drugs that inhibit dopamine metabolism could represent a promising strategy for treating persistent cognitive and neurological symptoms associated with long COVID.

The findings also provide biological evidence supporting the experiences of people living with long COVID, many of whom have struggled for years with debilitating symptoms despite the absence of clear diagnostic markers. By demonstrating measurable injury to dopamine-releasing neurons, the study offers objective evidence that persistent neurological symptoms have a biological basis.

Building on these results, the investigators plan to launch a clinical trial in collaboration with University Health Network to evaluate whether therapies that improve dopamine function can reduce fatigue, improve motivation, and enhance memory in people with long COVID. If successful, the trial could pave the way for one of the first mechanism-based treatment approaches for the condition.

The post Brain Scans Reveal Dopamine Damage in Long COVID, Pointing to New Treatments appeared first on Inside Precision Medicine.

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Stem Cell Therapy Shows Promise in First Human Parkinson’s Disease Trial

A landmark Phase I/II clinical study led by researchers at Skåne University Hospital and Lund University has shown that transplanting stem-cell-derived dopamine progenitor cells into the brain is feasible. Eight patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) received transplants of STEM-PD, a cryopreserved, off-the-shelf dopaminergic progenitor product derived from human pluripotent stem cells. The three-year Phase I/II, open-label, multicenter, single-arm, dose-escalation study identified no serious side effects linked to the transplanted cells during the first year of follow‑up.

“The possibility of replacing dopamine neurons that are lost in Parkinson’s disease has been a long-standing goal in the field,” said Malin Parmar, professor of cellular neuroscience at Lund University, and lead of the STEM-PD program. “The findings represent an important milestone for regenerative medicine approaches in Parkinson’s disease and support continued clinical development of stem cell-based therapies.”

Results from the study were reported by Parmar and colleagues in Nature Medicine. In their paper, titled “Human embryonic stem cell-derived dopaminergic cells for Parkinson’s disease: a Phase I/II open-label trial,” the team wrote, “In conclusion, particularly in the context of other recently published trials using human PS cell-derived dopaminergic cell therapies for PD, these findings further support the continued development of this therapeutic approach, including evaluation of the STEM-PD product in larger patient cohorts.”

Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s disease, the authors wrote. In Parkinson’s disease, patients lose nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine, which leads to symptoms such as slowness of movement, stiffness, gait disturbance, and tremor. “The hallmark pathology of PD involves progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and the subsequent loss of their projections to the striatum,” the team explained. Current treatments are medications that replace the lost dopamine, but over time these medications often become less effective and cause side effects.

“Intracerebral transplantation of stem cell-derived dopaminergic progenitors to replace lost endogenous dopaminergic neurons offers a new potentially restorative therapeutic approach for PD,” the investigators continued. Scientists have been working to develop standardized and scalable dopamine cell therapy products derived from pluripotent stem (PS) cells, including human embryonic stem (ES) cells and induced PS (iPS) cells, they noted. “Several such products are now in clinical development … with early safety and feasibility data emerging.”

The transplanted stem cell-based dopamine nerve cell product tested in the newly reported trial is designed to replace the cells that produce dopamine, and the goal is that after being transplanted, the transplanted cells will mature into new dopamine-producing nerve cells in the brain. The STEM-PD trial aimed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and feasibility of intraputaminal transplantation of STEM-PD in patients with moderately advanced PD.

Eight individuals with Parkinson’s disease received the transplanted cell product at two different doses, followed by 12 months of immunosuppression to prevent graft rejection. All patients were treated at Skåne University Hospital. Seven participants completed 12-month follow-up, and one participant died from a pulmonary infection that was not directly related to the cell product.

The surgical procedure was generally well tolerated, and no graft-induced involuntary movements were observed in the transplanted participants. Clinically, patients remained stable. Imaging using dopamine PET scans provided early indications of graft survival at both 6 and 12 months post-transplantation. Six of the seven participants substantially reduced their dopaminergic medication, a result that will be evaluated over time. In their paper, the team wrote in summary, “This Phase I/II clinical trial involving the bilateral intraputaminal transplantation of the STEM-PD dopaminergic progenitor cell product demonstrates its feasibility with no unexpected safety concerns from the cell product.”

Roger Barker, MD, professor of clinical neuroscience at the University of Cambridge, clinical lead of STEM-PD and clinical PI at the U.K. site, said: “This represents an exciting new departure on repairing the brain of individuals with Parkinson’s using dopamine cells- an approach pioneered in Lund some 40 years ago using fetal dopamine cells. The STEM-PD trial harnessing the expertise of scientists and clinicians from Lund and Cambridge has enabled us to undertake and deliver on one of the first ever stem cell-derived dopamine cell therapies for patients with Parkinson’s, and we hope this will be the beginning of an exciting new programme that may ultimately benefit the wider Parkinson’s community.”

Gesine Paul-Visse, MD, professor in neuropsychiatric research and lead PI at Skåne University Hospital, said, “Reaching this primary endpoint and being able to show that the cell product is safe is a great achievement for this trial, our team, the participating patients, but also for all patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease. We are hopeful that the early signs of cell survival and clinical improvement we observe will continue to increase over time and are excited to continue the development of this cell therapy.”

The STEM-PD research team will now continue the long-term follow-up of the participants to further evaluate safety, graft function, and clinical benefit. “Secondary and exploratory outcomes will evaluate the course and efficacy of clinical features, the survival of grafted dopaminergic cells at 36 months as well as additional safety signals occurring between 12 and 36 months and any dose–response effects,” the investigators stated. “Further evaluation of the grafts up to 36 months will determine whether the implanted cells continue to grow, mature and reinnervate the putamen after 12 months.”

STEM-PD builds on decades of research in dopamine cell replacement therapy for PD at Lund University and pioneering work in translation of pluripotent stem cell technology from experimental studies into clinical evaluation. The STEM-PD trial is the first pluripotent stem cell trial approved in Sweden and the first for PD in Europe. “The initiation and execution of this clinical trial have only been possible through close collaboration between scientists, clinicians, GMP manufacturing teams, regulatory experts and, most importantly, the participating patients,” concluded Parmar. In their report, the authors stated, “The STEM-PD trial adds further important confirmatory and complementary evidence to the recently reported feasibility and short-term safety of PS cell-derived dopaminergic progenitor transplantation in PD.”

The academic Phase I/IIa trial was conducted in collaboration with Novo Nordisk. Cellular Intelligence, a Boston-based company, recently acquired the STEM-PD program and will lead its next phase of clinical development, including a planned Phase II trial. The STEM-PD cells and their continued development hold IND clearance with FDA Fast Track Designation, and Cellular Intelligence aims to advance the program through Phase III to market approval.

STEM-PD is an academic European clinical translation initiative, focused on developing stem cell-based therapies for Parkinson’s disease. The program is led from Lund University with partners from Skåne University Hospital, Cambridge University Hospital, and University College London and combines expertise in stem cell biology, GMP manufacturing, neurosurgery, clinical neurology, and regenerative medicine to advance pluripotent stem cell-derived dopamine neuron therapies toward clinical application.

The post Stem Cell Therapy Shows Promise in First Human Parkinson’s Disease Trial appeared first on GEN – Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News.

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The Download: a nuclear landmark, and China eyes Nvidia chips

This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology.

Four nuclear reactors hit a big milestone in the US

—Casey Crownhart

I was really looking forward to July 4, and not just because I love a poolside barbecue. This year the American holiday also marked a big symbolic deadline for US nuclear power.

Last year the Trump administration set a goal to see three new microreactors achieve criticality, a technical milestone establishing that a reactor can sustain a chain reaction, by the nation’s 250th birthday. And just in time, not just three, but four reactors did so.

It’s a positive sign for nuclear technologies at a time of increasing need for electricity and emissions-free energy sources. But achieving criticality doesn’t mean a reactor is ready to provide electricity for the grid (or at all, for that matter).

Here’s what the milestone could mean for nuclear power in the US—and where the four companies might go next.

This story is from The Spark, our weekly climate tech newsletter. Sign up to receive it in your inbox every Wednesday.

The must-reads

I’ve combed the internet to find you today’s most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.

1 China plans to let its top AI firms buy Nvidia H200 chips
Alibaba, ByteDance, and DeepSeek are set to get permission. (Information $)
+ China had previously withheld approval despite US authorization. (Reuters $)

2 NATO is building a network to stop Russian attackers in their tracks
It will use sensors, drones, satellites, and AI to detect them. (Business Insider)
+ Troops are donning odd camouflage to elude drones. (Economist $)
+ The US wants cheaper drones as Iran’s wrecking its Reapers. (Ars Technica)

3 Researchers have a new idea to fight future El Niños: dimming the sun
Deflecting solar energy could cool the ocean and mitigate the risks. (Wired $)
+ But there could be unexpected consequences. (New Scientist $)
+ And geoengineering as a field is getting a reality check. (MIT Technology Review)
 
4 Meta is patenting an AI device that records users to analyse emotions
It ostensibly aims to tailor workout plans to the user’s mood. (404 Media)
+ AI memory is privacy’s next frontier. (MIT Technology Review)

5 Chipmakers are going vertical as Moore’s Law slows
They’re stacking transistors to keep chips advancing. (Economist $)
+ IBM is betting on the technique. (MIT Technology Review)
 
6 Ivy League students suspected of AI cheating saw scores fall in person
From 96% all the way down to 48%. (Ars Technica)
+ AI giants want to take over the classroom. (MIT Technology Review)
 
7 A new study says parents’ phone addictions damage bonds with kids
It can exacerbate “insecure attachment” for life. (Bloomberg $)
+ And make children more anxious and avoidant. (Gizmodo)

8 A judge approved Musk’s $1.5 million Twitter settlement with the SEC
Despite what she called “serious misgivings” and “red flags.” (Reuters $)
+ Musk was accused of skirting stock disclosure rules. (Fortune)
 
9 Shoebox-sized “detector satellites” could find nuclear bombs in space
Cubesats carrying the detector could sense a bomb’s radiation. (Space)
+ Russia is suspected of developing space-based nukes. (Reuters $)

10 A World Cup match drove Google Search traffic to a new record
The milestone came after Argentina’s comeback against Egypt. (CNBC)

Quote of the day

“I talk about it on Tic Tac.”

—President Donald Trump tells the public where to find his insights on the dangers of communism, Gizmodo reports.

One More Thing


Robots are bringing new life to extinct species

Paleontologists aren’t easily deterred by evolutionary dead ends or a sparse fossil record. And in the last few years, they’ve developed a new trick for turning back time and studying prehistoric animals: building experimental robotic models of them. 

In the absence of a living specimen, an ambling, flying, swimming, or slithering automaton is the next best thing for studying the behavior of extinct organisms. Learning more about how they moved can in turn shed light on their lives, such as their historic ranges and feeding habits. Scientists can simply sit back and observe their behavior in different environments. 

Read the full story on the rise of paleo-inspired robots—and four examples that are shedding light on creatures of yore.

—Shi En Kim

We can still have nice things

A place for comfort, fun, and distraction to brighten up your day. (Got any ideas? Drop me a line.)

+ Georgia Hill’s monochrome artworks are filled with visual harmony.
+ AI has salvaged text from a papyrus scroll burned to a crisp when Mount Vesuvius erupted 2,000 years ago.
+ Rare images taken by a Japanese space probe show a near-Earth asteroid resembling a cuddly snowman.
+ “Another One Bites the Bee Gees” smoothly merges two classic tracks with a 4/4 time signature into the perfect song for applying CPR.