MUNDUS project: MUltimodal Neuroprosthesis for daily Upper limb Support. Alessandra Pedrocchi, Simona Ferrante, Emilia Ambrosini, Marta Gandolla, Claudia Casellato, Thomas Schauer, Christian Klauer, Javier Pascual, Carmen Vidaurre, Margit Gfoehler, Werner Reichenfelser, Jakob Karner, Silvestro Micera, Andrea Crema, Franco Molteni, Mauro Rossini, Giovanna Palumbo, Eleonora Guanziroli, Andreas Jedlitschka, Marco Hack, Maria Bulgheroni, Enrico d¿Amico, Peter Schenk, Sven Zwicker, Alexander Duschau-Wicke, Justinas Miseikis, Lina Graber and Giancarlo Ferrigno; Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation 2013, doi:10.1186/1743-0003-10-66, Published: 3 July 2013
Background
MUNDUS is an assistive framework for recovering direct interaction capability of severely motor impaired people based on arm reaching and hand functions. It aims at achieving personalization, modularity and maximization of the user's direct involvement in assistive systems. To this, MUNDUS exploits any residual control of the end-user and can be adapted to the level of severity or to the progression of the disease allowing the user to voluntarily interact with the environment. MUNDUS target pathologies are high-level spinal cord injury (SCI) and neurodegenerative and genetic neuromuscular diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Friedreich ataxia, and multiple sclerosis (MS). The system can be alternatively driven by residual voluntary muscular activation, head/eye motion, and brain signals. MUNDUS modularly combines an antigravity lightweight and non-cumbersome exoskeleton, closed-loop controlled Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation for arm and hand motion, and potentially a motorized hand orthosis, for grasping interactive objects.
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Thursday, July 4, 2013
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Ataxie de Friedreich, La recherche progresse (English translation)
Translation courtesy of John Spencer. Thanks to Alex Bernard for authorizing publish the translation of the full text.
"Finding money for research is always a problem, "says researcher, Dr. Tremblay
Friedreich's ataxia is caused by a mutation in a related to the production of a protein called frataxin gene. Patients with this disease produce less frataxin which causes cell death. Normally, cells that die are replaced, except in the brain and heart. The disease therefore causes neural and cardiac symptoms in those who are affected.
The solution is to increase frataxin in patients and to get there, we evaluate different avenues, either by injecting frataxin in patients or by different techniques, including gene therapy by stimulating the production of the protein.
Dr. Tremblay came to interesting results, thanks to "Tale" proteins he got increases of 2 to 3 times the expression of frataxin with this approach. Patent applications have been filed on this technology.
"The great difficulty in the development of therapy is that it may be necessary to go into clinical trials. This can cost $ 1 to 2 million dollars for a single trial on a dozen patients. In this type of research, which we are always limited by budgets," says Dr. Tremblay.
When he does tests on animals, it can produce its own virus that costs a few thousand dollars. Conversely, when it is tested on humans should viruses highest quality are produced by only a handful of laboratories around the world.
Funding is difficult to find because the pharmaceutical companies have less interest in treating of orphan diseases and as a result, government agencies fund some research.
"I created an international consortium to promote gene therapy. One of our primary goals is to lobby governments to increase the amount of money spent on research for gene therapy because perhaps it could help develop treatments for many orphan diseases.
The researcher points out that the development of gene therapy is not limited only to orphan diseases, but it can contribute to treatments for many other afflictions, including cancer.
This therapy involves injecting a virus whose center core was replaced by part of genes. If we develop a virus to treat Friedreich's ataxia, it can also be used to treat diseases of vision, some hearing or lung disorders.
"I am very optimistic that we can develop treatments for Friedreich's ataxia. I hope to go to trial within 2 to 3 years, "expressed Dr. Tremblay. It still needs more work on his animal models to obtain the necessary approvals from Health Canada before he can move to clinical trials. But even with these authorizations, the research is dependent on the ability of Dr. Tremblay to find money.
Source:
Ataxie de Friedreich, La recherche progresse . Journal de Chambly, Par Alex Bernard, Mardi 2 juillet 2013 16:20:02 HAE
"Finding money for research is always a problem, "says researcher, Dr. Tremblay
Friedreich's ataxia is caused by a mutation in a related to the production of a protein called frataxin gene. Patients with this disease produce less frataxin which causes cell death. Normally, cells that die are replaced, except in the brain and heart. The disease therefore causes neural and cardiac symptoms in those who are affected.
The solution is to increase frataxin in patients and to get there, we evaluate different avenues, either by injecting frataxin in patients or by different techniques, including gene therapy by stimulating the production of the protein.
Dr. Tremblay came to interesting results, thanks to "Tale" proteins he got increases of 2 to 3 times the expression of frataxin with this approach. Patent applications have been filed on this technology.
"The great difficulty in the development of therapy is that it may be necessary to go into clinical trials. This can cost $ 1 to 2 million dollars for a single trial on a dozen patients. In this type of research, which we are always limited by budgets," says Dr. Tremblay.
When he does tests on animals, it can produce its own virus that costs a few thousand dollars. Conversely, when it is tested on humans should viruses highest quality are produced by only a handful of laboratories around the world.
Funding is difficult to find because the pharmaceutical companies have less interest in treating of orphan diseases and as a result, government agencies fund some research.
"I created an international consortium to promote gene therapy. One of our primary goals is to lobby governments to increase the amount of money spent on research for gene therapy because perhaps it could help develop treatments for many orphan diseases.
The researcher points out that the development of gene therapy is not limited only to orphan diseases, but it can contribute to treatments for many other afflictions, including cancer.
This therapy involves injecting a virus whose center core was replaced by part of genes. If we develop a virus to treat Friedreich's ataxia, it can also be used to treat diseases of vision, some hearing or lung disorders.
"I am very optimistic that we can develop treatments for Friedreich's ataxia. I hope to go to trial within 2 to 3 years, "expressed Dr. Tremblay. It still needs more work on his animal models to obtain the necessary approvals from Health Canada before he can move to clinical trials. But even with these authorizations, the research is dependent on the ability of Dr. Tremblay to find money.
Source:
Ataxie de Friedreich, La recherche progresse . Journal de Chambly, Par Alex Bernard, Mardi 2 juillet 2013 16:20:02 HAE
New treatments for mitochondrial disease—no time to drop our standards
New treatments for mitochondrial disease—no time to drop our standards. Gerald Pfeffer, Rita Horvath, Thomas Klopstock, Vamsi K. Mootha, Anu Suomalainen, Saskia Koene, Michio Hirano, Massimo Zeviani, Laurence A. Bindoff, Patrick Yu-Wai-Man, Michael Hanna, Valerio Carelli, Robert McFarland, Kari Majamaa, Douglas M. Turnbull, Jan Smeitink & Patrick F. Chinnery; Nature Reviews Neurology, 2013/07/02 advance online publication, doi:10.1038/nrneurol.2013.129
Ataxie de Friedreich, La recherche progresse
Ataxie de Friedreich, La recherche progresse . Journal de Chambly, Par Alex Bernard, Mardi 2 juillet 2013 16:20:02 HAE
«Je suis très optimiste qu’on puisse développer des traitements pour l’ataxie de Friedreich. J’espère pouvoir aller en essai clinique d’ici 2 à 3 ans», exprime Dr Tremblay.
«Je suis très optimiste qu’on puisse développer des traitements pour l’ataxie de Friedreich. J’espère pouvoir aller en essai clinique d’ici 2 à 3 ans», exprime Dr Tremblay.
Gene Therapy Cures a Severe Pediatric Neurodegenerative Disease in Animal Models
Gene Therapy Cures a Severe Pediatric Neurodegenerative Disease in Animal Models. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (2013, July 2). ScienceDaily. Retrieved July 3, 2013, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2013/07/130702100344.htm
July 2, 2013 — A single session of a gene therapy developed by the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) cures Sanfilippo Syndrome A in animal models. This syndrome is a neurodegenerative disease that affects between 1 and 9 out of every 100,000 children, and causes the death of the child on reaching adolescence.
Whole body correction of mucopolysaccharidosis IIIA by intracerebrospinal fluid gene therapy. Virginia Haurigot, Sara Marcó, Albert Ribera, Miguel Garcia, Albert Ruzo, Pilar Villacampa, Eduard Ayuso, Sònia Añor, Anna Andaluz, Mercedes Pineda, Gemma García-Fructuoso, Maria Molas, Luca Maggioni, Sergio Muñoz, Sandra Motas, Jesús Ruberte, Federico Mingozzi, Martí Pumarola, Fatima Bosch
J Clin Invest. 2013; doi:10.1172/JCI66778
FULL TEXT PDF
July 2, 2013 — A single session of a gene therapy developed by the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) cures Sanfilippo Syndrome A in animal models. This syndrome is a neurodegenerative disease that affects between 1 and 9 out of every 100,000 children, and causes the death of the child on reaching adolescence.
Whole body correction of mucopolysaccharidosis IIIA by intracerebrospinal fluid gene therapy. Virginia Haurigot, Sara Marcó, Albert Ribera, Miguel Garcia, Albert Ruzo, Pilar Villacampa, Eduard Ayuso, Sònia Añor, Anna Andaluz, Mercedes Pineda, Gemma García-Fructuoso, Maria Molas, Luca Maggioni, Sergio Muñoz, Sandra Motas, Jesús Ruberte, Federico Mingozzi, Martí Pumarola, Fatima Bosch
J Clin Invest. 2013; doi:10.1172/JCI66778
FULL TEXT PDF
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Regulation of fatty acid metabolism by mTOR in adult murine hearts occurs independently of changes in PGC-1α
Regulation of fatty acid metabolism by mTOR in adult murine hearts occurs independently of changes in PGC-1α. Yi Zhu, Jamie Soto, Brandon Anderson, Christian Riehle, Yi Cheng Zhang, Adam R Wende, Deborah Jones, Donald A. McClain, and E. Dale Abel, Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol ajpheart.00877.2012; published ahead of print April 26, 2013, doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00877.2012
In conclusion, mTOR regulates mitochondrial fatty acid utilization but not glucose utilization in the heart via mechanisms that are independent of changes in PGC expression.
In conclusion, mTOR regulates mitochondrial fatty acid utilization but not glucose utilization in the heart via mechanisms that are independent of changes in PGC expression.
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Review on Molecular Diagnostic Techniques in Friedreich’s Ataxia
Review on Molecular Diagnostic Techniques in Friedreich’s Ataxia Pravin D. Potdar and Aarthy Raghu; Annual Review & Research in Biology, ISSN: 2231-4776,Vol.: 3, Issue.: 4 (October-December)
Keywords: Friedreich’s ataxia; frataxin; GAA repeats; molecular diagnostics; triplet-repeat primed PCR; real time PCR.
FULL TEXT PDF
Keywords: Friedreich’s ataxia; frataxin; GAA repeats; molecular diagnostics; triplet-repeat primed PCR; real time PCR.
FULL TEXT PDF
Friday, June 28, 2013
Multi-Copper Oxidases and Human Iron Metabolism
Multi-Copper Oxidases and Human Iron Metabolism. Vashchenko, G.; MacGillivray, R.T.A.; Nutrients 2013, 5, 2289-2313.
OPEN ACCESS, FULL TEXT PDF
OPEN ACCESS, FULL TEXT PDF
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Newborn screening for lysosomal storage disorders and other neuronopathic conditions.
Newborn screening for lysosomal storage disorders and other neuronopathic conditions.Matern D, Oglesbee D, Tortorelli S.; Dev Disabil Res Rev. 2013 Jun;17(3):247-253. doi: 10.1002/ddrr.1117.
Keywords: Newborn screening (NBS), public health program, 13 lysosomal storage disorders, X-adrenoleukodystrophy, Wilson disease, Friedreich ataxia.
Keywords: Newborn screening (NBS), public health program, 13 lysosomal storage disorders, X-adrenoleukodystrophy, Wilson disease, Friedreich ataxia.
Final Study Record Detail: Efficacy of EGb761 in Patients Suffering From Friedreich Ataxia
Efficacy of EGb761 in Patients Suffering From Friedreich Ataxia. www.clinicaltrials.gov, A service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
Study Design:
Allocation: Randomized; Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study; Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment; Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor); Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
Due to small sample size and considering there are no specific studies in this population with EGb761; calculation with the use of a statistical hypothesis was not possible. Primary efficacy analyses performed on the mITT population and analysis of safety performed on the safety population.
Study Design:
Allocation: Randomized; Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study; Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment; Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor); Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
Due to small sample size and considering there are no specific studies in this population with EGb761; calculation with the use of a statistical hypothesis was not possible. Primary efficacy analyses performed on the mITT population and analysis of safety performed on the safety population.
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