MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL

Psychiatry lags in precision medicine compared to oncology; efforts in precision psychiatry aim to improve prognosing, diagnosing, and treating mental illness using advanced technologies like NGS and AI. Challenges include the complexity of the brain and lack of single-gene explanations for mental illnesses. Innovations like Beacon Biosignals' Dreem 3 headband for sleep monitoring and Gate Neurosciences' precision neuroscience platform for targeted therapies are advancing the field. The future may see a shift from traditional DSM diagnoses to more personalized, data-driven approaches, potentially reducing stigma and improving patient outcomes.

Alzamend Neuro partners with Massachusetts General Hospital for a Phase II clinical trial of AL001, a next-generation lithium therapeutic for bipolar disorder, with Dr. Ovidiu Andronesi as principal investigator. The study aims to compare AL001's safety and effectiveness to current lithium products by analyzing lithium levels in the brain.

NeuroSense Therapeutics announced the acceptance of two abstracts on PrimeC, its ALS treatment candidate, for the 2024 NEALS Consortium Meeting. The abstracts, to be presented by Dr. Merit Cudkowicz and Dr. Cristian Lunetta, highlight data from the Phase 2b PARADIGM study showing PrimeC reduced ALS progression by 36% and improved survival by 43%.

Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun won the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine for discovering microRNA, which regulate gene activity and could lead to new cancer treatments. MicroRNA are being explored in clinical trials for skin cancer treatment, with potential drug approvals expected in 5-10 years.

NeuroSense Therapeutics announced the acceptance of two abstracts on PrimeC, its ALS treatment candidate, to be presented at the 2024 NEALS Consortium Meeting. The abstracts will present Phase 2b PARADIGM study data, showing PrimeC reduced ALS progression by 36% and improved survival rates by 43% compared to placebo.

Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discovering microRNA, which regulate gene function and could lead to new cancer treatments. Their work revealed a new dimension of gene regulation essential for complex life forms.

Novel anti-estrogen therapies, including PI3K pathway inhibitors like inavolisib, show promise in treating ER-positive advanced breast cancer, particularly in patients with PIK3CA mutations. These therapies, often used in combination with existing treatments like palbociclib and fulvestrant, aim to improve progression-free survival and overall outcomes. Personalized treatment strategies are evolving, focusing on identifying specific patient subgroups that may benefit most from these novel agents.

Massachusetts voters will decide in November on legalizing psychedelics, including psilocybin, for mental health treatment. A yes vote would create a regulatory framework with licensed facilitators, but also allow personal growth in a secure space. Oregon and Colorado have similar but distinct legalizations, with Oregon's being more restrictive. The FDA has designated psilocybin a breakthrough therapy, though the American Psychiatric Association remains cautious.

Cytisine, a plant-based smoking cessation treatment effective and with fewer side effects than nicotine patches and gum, awaits FDA approval in the U.S. after more safety data was requested. Approved in Canada and the UK, it could help over 70,000 Americans quit smoking annually. Clinical trials by Achieve Life Sciences show positive outcomes, but FDA delays push back potential approval.

Joan, diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's, uses a 40-hertz sound-and-light therapy to combat dementia, showing stable brain volume and halted cognitive decline. Developed by MIT researchers, the therapy aims to synchronize gamma waves in the brain, with promising results in clinical trials. Despite some skepticism and replication challenges, the treatment shows potential without serious side effects, though caution is advised due to unregulated market products.