The goal is to take promising basic research in organic electronics to improve today’s treatment methods for Parkinson’s disease with electrical stimulation in the brain. It is hoped that this can be developed to the extent that clinical tests on humans are possible when the project is completed. Patrik Malmunger is CEO of the Promobilia Foundation, which is behind the big donation:
“We want to make a real difference. We want the donation to eventually lead to new innovations, new treatments, new ways of tackling not only Parkinson’s, but also other diseases. It’s a fantastic opportunity to be able to provide researchers with the funds needed for the research to benefit society,” says Patrik Malmunger.
Electrical stimulation
The project is divided into four sub-projects led by professors Magnus Berggren, Daniel Simon, Peter Nilsson and Karin Wårdell. Several other LiU researchers are involved, including surgeon and docent Peter Zsigmond.
“No one knows exactly why Parkinson’s disease develops. But we can see that electrical stimulation of the affected parts of the brain reduces symptoms. The current method used involves placing a rigid metal electrode in the affected area, which requires enormous precision. This technology works, but it can also be hugely improved” says Karin Wårdell, professor of biomedical engineering at LiU.
Some 10 million people worldwide are affected by Parkinson’s disease but is assumed to be a hugely underreported disease. Approximately 300,000 people die each year as a result of the disease. Parkinson’s is a nerve disease that destroys the brain cells producing the neurotransmitter dopamine, resulting in e.g. impaired motor skills and cognition. Symptoms often get worse over time as more and more nerve cells are affected.
Targeted electronic medicines
Today’s treatment with so-called DBS electrodes is expensive and only about one per cent of all sufferers receive it.
“We hope that the technology we’re developing will be accessible to more people,” says Karin Wårdell.
The research group is now developing what can be called targeted electronic medicines that can find the part of the brain affected by Parkinson’s. The key to this is electrically conductive plastics, or more precisely conjugated polymers, which are self-assembled chemically inside the body using enzymes and structures that surround the nerve cells in the brain.
The first step in the project is to extend the DBS electrodes using the polymers to achieve better integration of the implant into the brain tissue and thus increase precision. In addition, function can improve over time, which is a weak point for today’s DBS implants. The next step is to further develop the brain implants and create a method where plastic electrodes can be introduced into the brain via blood vessels.
“The idea is that we shouldn’t have to perform surgery that deep in the brain. The electrodes are to be built and amalgamated into the structures of the brain without damaging or interfering with the nerve cells. It sounds a bit like science fiction – I’m aware of that – but we’ve already had promising results,” says Magnus Berggren.
Anchor molecules
For the self-assembling electrodes to find and attach only to the Parkinson’s-affected nerve cells, the researchers will identify specific anchor molecules in the affected areas. These can be identified chemically via specific metabolites, neurotransmitters or accumulations of defective proteins unique to Parkinson’s. The idea is that the anchor molecules should be used as a target for electrode growth. Step three is to chemically identify these anchor molecules.
The final step involves testing and evaluating the implants extending the DBS electrodes as well as those passing through the blood vessels. On project completion, clinically useful implants approved under current EU legislation are to be in place.
“We’re convinced this will work. I see it more as a time journey and now we are really well equipped thanks to these donations. It’s like a huge afterburner speeding up the project. Internationally, we will be very competitive thanks to the donations,” says Magnus Berggren.
New technology inservice of mankind
Claes Walldén chairs Stiftelsen för Parkinsonforskning, which manages a donation to LiU made in 2008. Over the years, they have supported more than 40 researchers with donations to various Parkinson’s research projects. The SEK 5 million donation is the foundation’s largest so far.
“We’ve chosen to concentrate efforts on a particularly promising project, and here we see great potential for creating new solutions for Parkinson’s treatment. We board members believe that a large cohesive donation can provide the project with the strength and stability needed to achieve significant research results. In the long term, we hope for tangible improvements for patients,” says Claes Walldén.
Patrik Malumunger at the Promobilia Foundation shares this view:
“This research can really make a difference. New technology is very close to our heart, and it will be used to help people to an active and independent life – to manage on their own, be able to live at home and to get around – with or without assistive devices.
The initiative will be called the Promobilia Centre for Electroceuticals.
