Category Archives: Brain

Investing in Inflammation: Thriving R&D in Immune-Mediated Neurological Disease Sector 

Increasing life expectancy has led to silently progressive neurodegenerative disorders becoming more prominent worldwide. In the case of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease, the urgent need for targeted and effective treatments is more significant than ever.

Major technological advancements have spurred research and development in the biotechnology industry, leading to the discovery of novel therapeutic platforms that can target the root cause of diseases.

With the help of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, gene editing, and precision medicine, biotech companies are now better equipped to develop new treatment strategies. One promising approach gaining significant attention in recent years involves targeting the overactive immune system and reducing systemic inflammation to mitigate the detrimental effects of neuroinflammation.

Continue reading

Predicting Disease Susceptibility Through Changes in Cognitive Performance

Cognitive function and other physiological factors, such as stress levels, have long been associated with physiological health and immunocompetence. Markers of cognitive function, such as reaction time, vigilance, and processing speed, are central to human ability and optimal performance. Variability in these measures is common, as numerous environmental, physical, and mental factors can modify them, including sleep quality, dietary patterns, and other lifestyle choices.

A burgeoning body of scientific evidence suggests that intra-individual variability reaction time and other cognitive performance markers may reflect neurobiological disturbances and, thus, have valuable prognostic significance. Prior research has shown that a heightened variability in reaction time is explicitly associated with greater mortality risk in both younger and older adults. Now, the results of a recent 2022 study reveal a potential connection between cognitive performance and disease susceptibility that could transform our understanding of and approach to the brain-immune system pathway.

Continue reading

What’s Next?: The 2023 Industry Trend Report for Healthcare Disruptors and Early Adopters

In 2023, the US healthcare industry is again facing several significant challenges, including ongoing high inflation rates, labor shortages, and the persistent impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite continued difficulties, leaders in the space are working to find innovative solutions to improve the current system while looking ahead at the promising future of medicine that appears to have already arrived.

From artificial intelligence-based medicine to breakthroughs in precision neuroscience, we outline key trends expected to shape the healthcare landscape in 2023 and beyond.

Continue reading