BARROW NEUROLOGICAL INSTITUTE

Blarcamesine, once daily orally, slowed clinical decline in early Alzheimer's disease patients by 36.3% over 48 weeks, with a stronger effect in those with non-mutated SIGMAR1 wild type genes. The drug activates upstream SIGMAR1, enhancing autophagy and restoring cellular homeostasis, with a good safety profile and no neuroimaging adverse events.

Yoshie Umemura, MD, discusses her journey in neuro-oncology, emphasizing the importance of multidisciplinary care, mentorship, and collaboration in advancing breast cancer treatment and research.

Parkinson's disease patients often experience neuropsychiatric symptoms like cognitive issues, depression, and anxiety. A research team, including Binghamton University's Christopher R. Bishop, received a $3 million grant from the Department of Defense to study these symptoms. Their focus is on how serotonin-producing neurons, which can produce dopamine, contribute to these issues. The team aims to improve PD symptom management and has identified potential repurposed medications.

Binghamton University Psychology Professor Christopher R. Bishop leads a $3 million, four-year DOD-funded study on neuropsychiatric symptoms in Parkinson’s disease, involving researchers from Binghamton, Barrow Neurological Institute, and the University of Illinois. The study focuses on serotonin neurons producing dopamine, causing side effects, and aims to improve PD patient lives through new treatments and clinical trials.

Yoshie Umemura advises aspiring neuro-oncologists to seek mentors outside their institution, emphasizing the importance of asking and paying it forward by mentoring others.

The FDA has granted Elon Musk’s Neuralink a breakthrough device designation for its experimental brain chip implant, 'Blindsight,' which aims to restore vision. Neuralink is also developing implants to help paralyzed individuals use digital devices with their brains, with successful trials already conducted. Musk envisions these implants as a way to keep humans competitive with AI, warning of AI's potential risks. Neuralink's mission is to bring brain-computer interface technology into homes to improve lives.

Nader Sanai, MD, discusses the Gliofocus study (NCT06388733), comparing niraparib with temozolomide in newly diagnosed MGMT unmethylated glioblastoma patients, aiming to improve survival rates and quality of life beyond standard-of-care options.

Yoshie Umemura, MD, discusses the Ivy Brain Tumor Center's phase 3 Gliofocus trial (NCT06388733) evaluating niraparib for MGMT unmethylated glioblastoma, highlighting the institution's unique platform enabling rapid progression from early to late-phase trials.

Travis Losey, MD, appointed VP of Research Affairs at Loma Linda University Health, succeeding Michael Samardzija. Losey, with extensive research experience and publications, aims to enhance collaboration and address healthcare disparities. LLUH focuses on cancer, neuroscience, mother and child, and longevity research.

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