Swiss National Science Foundation

UK and Switzerland Partner to Fund Clinical Trials Addressing Unmet Medical Needs

5 months ago

• The NIHR and SNSF are partnering to provide £8 million in funding for joint Swiss-UK clinical trials focused on areas of unmet need. • The funding aims to support clinical studies evaluating the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of interventions for diagnosing, preventing, or treating diseases. • Researchers from both countries are encouraged to form multidisciplinary teams, with applications opening in April 2025 for trials up to 5 years in length. • The collaboration seeks to enhance research capacity, support early-career researchers, and accelerate the development of effective treatments for patients.

Fampridine Shows Promise for Improving Working Memory in Individuals with Low Baseline Cognitive Performance

6 months ago

• A study explored fampridine, a drug typically used for multiple sclerosis, to assess its impact on working memory in healthy adults. • The trial revealed that fampridine did not improve working memory universally but showed potential benefits for individuals with lower baseline cognitive performance. • Fampridine decreased motor thresholds, indicating increased brain excitability, which may support cognitive functions in specific individuals. • Researchers suggest further studies in clinical populations with pronounced working memory deficits to explore personalized cognitive therapies.