- Effective treatment of brain diseases and injuries
- Stroke and Alzheimer's disease affect millions of people
Due to the plasticity of the brain, another area of the brain can take over some functions, creating alternative connections. Neuroplasticity has been the main research and development area of a pan-European project that has developed new methods to study brain damage and directions for innovative therapies that can restore youthful plasticity to the brain.
The human brain has the remarkable ability to create new connections between nerve cells and repair or replace damaged ones. Thanks to this, we can assimilate new experiences, gain skills and preserve memories. Scientists called this abilitybrain plasticityorneuroplasticity- its level varies with age and is much lower in adults. This ability becomes especially important when one area of the brain is damaged as a result of an injury or disease, such as a stroke or Alzheimer's disease.
Effective treatment of brain diseases and injuries
One of the most promising enzymes turned out to be chondroitinase, which enables the reorganization of synaptic connections. Such therapies open the possibility of influencing the improvement of learning and memory skills in the elderly, as well as the treatment of damage in the event of strokes, brain and spine injuries or in the course of Alzheimer's disease.
The four-year project is led by Professor James Fawcett from the University of Cambridge. Scientists study and stimulate the plasticity of the brain. The project involves academic researchers as well as representatives of pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology companies from eight countries. The project has received funding of around € 5.2 million under the EU's 7th Program (FP7).
The project also developed a new microscope for mapping areas of the brain affected by stroke and methods for administering chondroitinase into the body. “The project has certainly exceeded our expectations. It has given us an in-depth understanding of what is brain plasticity and an indication for therapies that could revolutionize the treatment of diseases affecting a large part of society, 'said Professor Fawcett.
Stroke and Alzheimer's disease affect millions of people
Fifteen million people worldwide experience strokes each year, and Alzheimer's disease affects 18 million people. Along with injuries to the spine, these three conditions areresponsible for most cases of long-term disability, and the incidence of their disease continues to increase with the aging of the population.
The project covered so many different aspects of the research that it was not possible to implement it by teams from one country. It was only by enabling researchers and clinicians specializing in various fields to collaborate in an international project that there was an opportunity to achieve medical advances in this field.
More research is needed to apply the results of the scientists' work to the treatment of patients. Undoubtedly, however, the availability of therapies that would improve memory, heal the effects of dementia, support the treatment of brain and spinal cord injuries, would be a huge breakthrough in medicine and would contribute to a significant increase in the quality of life of patients.
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