Dementia and Parkinson’s ‘cure’ to be investigated in new first-of-its-kind research

A first-of-its-kind study will investigate a potential ‘cure’ for Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and Parkinson’s. The project, by scientists at Nottingham Trent University, will look at whether treatment can be delivered to the brain via specialised microbubbles. When used in combination with ultrasound, these tiny bubbles may open the body’s largely impenetrable protective blood brain barrier, allowing medication inside to treat the intended area. Dr Gareth Cave, head of the nanoscience and drug delivery group in NTU’s School of Science and Technology, explained: “These are illnesses that do not discriminate and once they have taken hold, they rob people of the ones they love the most and valuable years together. “By harnessing knowledge spanning a range of fields, we are pursuing a totally different and truly innovative approach. We believe the cure for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and dementia could lie in the use of non-invasive techniques and natural materials.” While our blood barrier prevents harmful substances and toxins from reaching the brain, it also locks out potentially important treatments. But scientists hope the barrier can be temporarily opened to allow stem cell therapies to repair and reverse damage in the brain. The ultrasound would be used with MRI so that physiological effects in the brain could be monitored in real-time. The team is also investigating the potential for using light particles to give a boost of energy to the cells in the brain and blood brain barrier so they can heal naturally and effectively as quickly as possible. Dr Gareth Cave continued: “These deeply powerful yet far safer tools for combatting the symptoms of these diseases could pave the way for routine treatments that transform – and save – the lives of sufferers.” Data suggests there are more than 944,000 people in the UK who have dementia. The number of people with the condition is increasing because people are living longer, and it is estimated that by 2030, there will be more than one million people in the UK with dementia. The work is being funded by more than £1 million from the Eranda Rothschild Foundation.