Neuroscience

Children's Wisconsin, Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, the Medical College of Wisconsin and Zablocki VA Medical Center Launch Wisconsin Institute of NeuroScience

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 7, 2024

MILWAUKEE, Feb. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Milwaukee is now home to one of the nation's first institutes designed specifically to focus on the neurological needs of people from birth to old age. The Wisconsin Institute of NeuroScience (WINS) is a partnership of Children's Wisconsin, the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin health network, the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) and the Clement J. Zablocki Veterans' Administration Medical Center.

Key Points: 
  • The Wisconsin Institute of NeuroScience (WINS) is a partnership of Children's Wisconsin, the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin health network, the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) and the Clement J. Zablocki Veterans' Administration Medical Center.
  • "Importantly, WINS also will further the groundbreaking research already underway here and increase educational opportunities so we can produce the next generation of neuroscientists."
  • Despite being one of the most common causes of spinal cord injury, public awareness of DCM remains limited.
  • The Center for Cervical Myelopathy aims to fill that void by providing patients, physicians and scientists with resources to advance understanding and treatment of this condition.

The brain is the most complicated object in the universe. This is the story of scientists’ quest to decode it – and read people’s minds

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 7, 2024

This is the closest science has yet come to reading someone’s mind.

Key Points: 
  • This is the closest science has yet come to reading someone’s mind.
  • As Alexander Huth, the neuroscientist who co-led the research, told the New York Times:
    This isn’t just a language stimulus.
  • In the longer term, this could lead to wider public applications such as fitbit-style health monitors for the brain and brain-controlled smartphones.
  • On January 29, Elon Musk announced that his Neuralink tech startup had implanted a chip in a human brain for the first time.

Humanity’s greatest mapping challenge

  • By fully mapping the structure and function of a healthy human brain, we can determine with great precision what goes awry in diseases of the brain and mind.
  • Similar initiatives were launched in Europe in 2013 (the Human Brain Project) and China in 2016 (the China Brain Project).
  • This daunting endeavour may still take generations to complete – but the scientific ambition of mapping and reading people’s brains dates back more than two centuries.
  • With the world having been circumnavigated many times over, Antarctica discovered and much of the planet charted, humanity was ready for a new (and even more complicated) mapping challenge – the human brain.
  • In the 1860s, “locationist” views of how the brain worked made a comeback – though the scientists leading this research were keen to distinguish their theories from phrenology.
  • French anatomist Paul Broca discovered a region of the left hemisphere responsible for producing speech – thanks in part to his patient, Louis Victor Leborgne, who at age 30 lost the ability to say anything other than the syllable “tan”.
  • This approach depends on the findings of American physiologist John Fulton almost a century ago.
  • This stronger pulse of activity was not replicated by other sensory inputs, for example when smelling tobacco or vanilla.

The first clinical trial

  • The ultimate goal is wireless, non-invasive devices that help patients communicate and move with precision in the real world.
  • In 2004, BrainGate began the first clinical trial using BCIs to enable patients with impaired motor systems (including spinal cord injuries, brainstem infarctions, locked-in syndrome and muscular dystrophy) control a computer cursor with their thoughts.
  • The team is working with academics from different backgrounds who have been engaged in projects aimed at tackling societal and scientific challenges.
  • Patient MN, a quadriplegic since being stabbed in the neck in 2001, was the trial’s first patient.
  • In addition, brain activity was linked to the patient’s prosthetic hand and robotic arm, enabling rudimentary actions including grasping and transporting an object.
  • Also in 2017, BrainGate clinical trials reported the first evidence that BCIs could be used to help patients regain movement of their own limbs by bypassing the damaged portion of the spinal cord.

A new era of ‘mind reading’ technology

  • But having been primarily envisaged as a tool for diagnostics and monitoring, it is now also a core element of the latest neural communication and prosthetic devices.
  • Despite being behaviourally non-responsive and minimally conscious, these patients were able to answer yes-or-no questions just by using their minds.
  • Now, a decade on, the HuthLab research at the University of Texas constitutes a paradigmatic shift in the evolution of communication-enabling neuroimaging systems.
  • Whereas the brain’s capacity to produce motor intentions is shared across species, the ability to produce and perceive language is uniquely human.
  • The disadvantage of fMRI is that it can only take slow measurements of brain signals (typically, one brain volume every two or three seconds).
  • They demonstrated that the system could be used not only to decode semantic content entertained through auditive perception, but also through visual perception.
  • Importantly, they also explicitly addressed the potential threat to a person’s mental privacy posed by this kind of technology.
  • We take very seriously the concerns that it could be used for bad purposes and have worked to avoid that.

The ethical implications are immense

  • Losing the ability to communicate is a deep cut to one’s sense of self.
  • The ethical implications of providing access to such data to scientific and corporate entities are potentially immense.
  • For example, Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative disease that affects movement, is co-morbid with dementia, which affects the ability to reason and think clearly.
  • In line with this approach, Chile was the first country that adopted legislation to address the risks inherent to neurotechnology.
  • One of the cornerstones of ethical research is the principle of informed consent.
  • The growing availability of neurotechnology in a commercial context that is generally subject to far less regulation only amplifies these ethical and legal concerns.
  • We are at an early stage of technological development and as we begin to uncover the great potential of BCI, both for therapeutic applications and beyond, the need to consider these ethical questions and their implications for legal action becomes more pressing.

Decoding our neuro future

  • By the middle of 2021, the total investment in neurotechnology companies amounted to just over US$33 billion (around £26 million).
  • The implant is said to include 1,024 electrodes, yet is only slightly larger than the diameter of a red blood cell.
  • The Kernel Flow, for example, is a commercially available, wearable headset that uses fNRIS technology to monitor brain activity.
  • The dawn of a new era of brain-computer interfaces should be treated with great care and great respect – in acknowledgement of its immense potential to both help, and harm, our future generations.


For you: more from our Insights series:
Unlocking new clues to how dementia and Alzheimer’s work in the brain – Uncharted Brain podcast series

Freedom of thought is being threatened by states, big tech and even ourselves. Here’s what we can do to protect it

OCD is so much more than handwashing or tidying. As a historian with the disorder, here’s what I’ve learned

Noise in the brain enables us to make extraordinary leaps of imagination. It could transform the power of computers too

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Stephanie Sheir received funding from the EPSRC (grant number EP/V026518/1). Timo Istace receives funding from Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek Vlaanderen. Nicholas J. Kelley does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Alto Neuroscience Announces Closing of Upsized Initial Public Offering and Full Exercise of the Underwriters’ Option to Purchase Additional Shares

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Alto Neuroscience, Inc. (“Alto”) (NYSE: ANRO) today announced the closing of its previously announced upsized initial public offering of 9,246,000 shares of common stock, which includes the exercise in full by the underwriters of their option to purchase 1,206,000 additional shares, at a public offering price of $16.00 per share.

Key Points: 
  • Alto Neuroscience, Inc. (“Alto”) (NYSE: ANRO) today announced the closing of its previously announced upsized initial public offering of 9,246,000 shares of common stock, which includes the exercise in full by the underwriters of their option to purchase 1,206,000 additional shares, at a public offering price of $16.00 per share.
  • The aggregate gross proceeds to Alto from the offering were approximately $147.9 million before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses payable by Alto.
  • All of the shares of common stock were offered by Alto.
  • Alto’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “ANRO.”
    Jefferies, TD Cowen, Stifel and William Blair acted as joint book-running managers for the offering.

Bridging Data Science and Neuroscience: Canadian Neuroanalytics Scholars Program Invests $3.8 Million to Combat Neurodegenerative Disorders

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 6, 2024

CALGARY, AB, Feb. 6, 2024 /CNW/ - Campus Alberta Neuroscience (CAN) is thrilled to announce the launch of the Canadian Neuroanalytics Scholars (CNS) Program.

Key Points: 
  • CALGARY, AB, Feb. 6, 2024 /CNW/ - Campus Alberta Neuroscience (CAN) is thrilled to announce the launch of the Canadian Neuroanalytics Scholars (CNS) Program.
  • This novel program is poised to significantly impact the broader data-driven economy, extending its influence beyond the immediate field of neuroscience.
  • "The future of research lies not just in data collection, but in data linkage," said Dr. Neil Neary, executive director of CAN.
  • Utilizing data science techniques like AI and machine learning is particularly promising," adds Dr. JB Poline, scientific co-director of the CNS Program based at McGill University.

Leading Neuroscientists Bring Elemind Out of Stealth, Close $12 Million Seed Round for AI-enhanced Neurotech Wearable

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Elemind , the new AI-enhanced neurotech health company, emerged from stealth today, closing a $12M Seed round to further develop its first product ahead of its reveal in the coming months.

Key Points: 
  • Elemind , the new AI-enhanced neurotech health company, emerged from stealth today, closing a $12M Seed round to further develop its first product ahead of its reveal in the coming months.
  • The company’s wearable neurotechnology reads individual brainwaves and guides them in real-time by responding with tailored stimulation.
  • The company partnered with multiple leading research institutions to validate the technology and build applications for it.
  • Clinical trials also demonstrate Elemind is effective at increasing pain thresholds and enhancing sedation ; this study is currently in peer review.

Vizgen and Scale Biosciences Unveil Strategic Partnership at AGBT

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 5, 2024

Vizgen , Inc., the life science company dedicated to improving human health by visualizing single-cell spatial genomics information, has announced a partnership with Scale Biosciences (ScaleBio) to combine their single-cell and spatial technologies for enhanced data analysis at the Advances in Genome Biology and Technology (AGBT) 2024 General Meeting in Orlando, Florida.

Key Points: 
  • Vizgen , Inc., the life science company dedicated to improving human health by visualizing single-cell spatial genomics information, has announced a partnership with Scale Biosciences (ScaleBio) to combine their single-cell and spatial technologies for enhanced data analysis at the Advances in Genome Biology and Technology (AGBT) 2024 General Meeting in Orlando, Florida.
  • As part of the strategic partnership, Vizgen and ScaleBio will leverage their respective technology to generate high resolution data from serial mouse brain tissue sections for single cell RNA-seq, single cell DNA methylation and targeted spatial gene expression.
  • Such data can then be leveraged for a variety of applications, including neuroscience and cancer biology,” said Terry Lo, President and CEO of Vizgen.
  • In addition, Vizgen will sponsor a Women’s Networking Event on Tuesday, February 6, from 5:15 – 7:15 p.m.

Brain Training Improves Social Determinants of Health

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 31, 2024

According to Posit Science , the maker of the BrainHQ brain fitness program, that presentation will highlight the role of brain training in addressing non-medical factors that lead to better health.

Key Points: 
  • According to Posit Science , the maker of the BrainHQ brain fitness program, that presentation will highlight the role of brain training in addressing non-medical factors that lead to better health.
  • In recent years, Medicare Advantage (MA) plans have improved their offerings of supplemental benefits to address so-called “Social Determinants of Health” (SDoH) – non-medical factors and conditions (e.g., access to nutrition, transportation, safety, and social engagement) which have been shown to impact health outcomes.
  • MA plans have added a variety of Supplemental Benefits to provide Medicare members with SDoH services (e.g., meals, transportation to appointments, home safety risk reductions, and socialization opportunities).
  • Both are pioneers in the field of brain training, and each has led numerous studies.

Alto Neuroscience Announces Pricing of Upsized Initial Public Offering

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 2, 2024

Alto Neuroscience, Inc. (“Alto”) (NYSE: ANRO) today announced the pricing of its upsized initial public offering of 8,040,000 shares of common stock at a public offering price of $16.00 per share.

Key Points: 
  • Alto Neuroscience, Inc. (“Alto”) (NYSE: ANRO) today announced the pricing of its upsized initial public offering of 8,040,000 shares of common stock at a public offering price of $16.00 per share.
  • The aggregate gross proceeds to Alto from the offering are expected to be approximately $128.6 million before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses payable by Alto.
  • In addition, Alto has granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,206,000 shares of common stock at the initial public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions.
  • Jefferies, TD Cowen, Stifel and William Blair are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering.

Jaguar Gene Therapy Announces FDA Clearance of IND to Study JAG201 in a Genetic Form of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Phelan-McDermid Syndrome

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Jaguar Gene Therapy, a biotechnology company accelerating breakthroughs in gene therapy for patients suffering from severe genetic diseases, including those that affect sizeable patient populations, today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the company’s Investigational New Drug (IND) Application for JAG201, a gene therapy for a genetic form of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS).

Key Points: 
  • Jaguar Gene Therapy, a biotechnology company accelerating breakthroughs in gene therapy for patients suffering from severe genetic diseases, including those that affect sizeable patient populations, today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the company’s Investigational New Drug (IND) Application for JAG201, a gene therapy for a genetic form of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS).
  • JAG201 aims to deliver functional SHANK3 via the AAV9 vector to treat the root cause of the disease.
  • “We are pleased to receive FDA clearance to bring our investigational SHANK3 gene therapy to the clinic.
  • The pre-clinical data indicate that JAG201 may have the potential to be transformative for those suffering with the disorder,” said Joe Nolan, chief executive officer of Jaguar Gene Therapy.

Beacon Biosignals welcomes David Matthews, PhD, as Chief Business Officer

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 1, 2024

BOSTON, Feb. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Beacon Biosignals, a leading computational neurodiagnostics and EEG analytics company, has appointed David Matthews, PhD, as Chief Business Officer to oversee commercial and strategic activities.

Key Points: 
  • Beacon Biosignals partners with top biopharma companies to better understand brain health using clinical-grade EEG and AI-powered analysis.
  • The company's Dreem 3S wearable medical device enables validated sleep endpoints at-home and unlocks a scale of brain activity data never before available.
  • Dr. Matthews will draw on his deep expertise in healthcare strategy, commercial development, and computational neuroscience to create new partnerships, expand relationships, and drive continued innovation for Beacon Biosignals through the company's next phase of growth.
  • "We are thrilled to welcome David to our leadership team," said Jacob Donoghue, MD PhD, CEO of Beacon Biosignals.