Patients who received Eli Lily’s monthly donanemab infusion in an 18-month study demonstrated a 35% slower decline in memory, thinking, and ability to perform activities of daily living, and were 39% less likely to progress to the next stage of the disease. Brain plaque was also reduced significantly. The risk of the drug is brain […]
Pain
Pain management via implanted, bioresorbable drug delivery device
John Rogers has developed a wireless, self-powered, bioresorbable implant for programmed drug delivery, enabling precision pain management. When exposed to an external light source, the implant’s wavelength-sensitive phototransistor opens a gate, releasing a pre-loaded reservoir of a drug into the body. It dissolves after the regimen is complete, eliminating the need for surgery to remove […]
Brain
Music improves working memory in study of seniors
A study led by Damian Marie and UNIGE, HES-SO Geneva, and EPFL colleagues showed the effect of music on working memory decline. 132 healthy retirees from 62 to 78 years of age, who had not taken any lessons for at least six months, were assigned to two groups — piano practice, and active listening. According […]
Heart / Sensors
Proof of concept wrist sensor could detect heart-vessel blockage in 3-5 minutes
UW’s Graham Nichol and Harborview Medical Center colleagues studying the reliability of a troponin-detecting, wrist-worn sensor in arriving cardiac arrest patients. Identifying heart-vessel blockage quickly is crucial to ensuring rapid, appropriate intervention. Traditional EKG diagnosis can lack accuracy, and blood testing for troponin can take hours. The novel “Tropsensor,” being commercialized by rce, is designed […]
Sensors / Wounds
Smart bandage based closed loop wound monitoring and treatment system
Caltech professor Wei Gao has developed a smart bandage for chronic wounds, made from a flexible and stretchy polymer containing embedded electronics and medication. The electronics allow the sensor to monitor uric acid, lactate, pH level and wound temperature, indicating inflammation or bacterial infection. Data from the wound is transmitted wirelessly to the patient or […]
Brain / Sensors
Closed-loop sensor/stimulation system to detect, reduce neurological events
For the first time, there is an autonomous sensing and stimulating unit sitting in a specific brain region and ensuring that neuronal activity in that region is controlled. The closed-loop system is called NeuralTree and was developed by Mahsa Shoaran and EPFL colleagues, to overcome the lack of control caused by epileptic activity or tremor, […]