Latest news with #Alzheimer'sdisease
Euronews
6 days ago
- Business
- Euronews
Bulgaria to adopt the euro as ECB and EU Commission give green light
Bulgaria will join the eurozone at the start of next year after clearing a series of economic hurdles, securing approval from the European Central Bank and the European Commission on Wednesday. "Today's report is a historic moment for Bulgaria, the euro area and the European Union," said EU economy chief Valdis Dombrovskis. ECB Executive Board Member Philip Lane noted: "I wish to congratulate Bulgaria on its tremendous dedication to making the adjustments needed." Since it joined the EU in 2007, Bulgaria has been seeking to switch its current currency, the lev, to the euro — although persistent inflation and political unrest have stalled progress. Last year, Bulgaria's accession to the eurozone was pushed back as the country failed to contain price pressures. These shot up during Europe's energy crisis following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, although annual CPI cooled to 3.5% in April, close to the EU's 3% target. The ECB and the Commission are now satisfied that economic criteria are fulfilled, notably relating to the public debt and deficit, inflation, interest rates and the exchange rate. Bulgaria's accession must now be approved by euro area finance ministers, with the final go-ahead expected on 8 July. Wednesday's breakthrough came after a wave of protests in Bulgaria against the adoption of the euro. Disinformation campaigns from home and abroad have made certain groups fearful of the change, notably pushing narratives that the euro will worsen poverty and stoke inflation. Bulgarian President Rumen Radev encouraged the anti-euro voices by proposing earlier this month a referendum on the currency. The proposal was rejected by the pro-European majority in parliament, which accused Radev of acting in favour of Moscow with his last-minute attempt to sabotage the euro adoption. Countries that have previously joined the eurozone have seen modest inflationary spikes. Even so, eurozone membership also offers a series of benefits as it reduces borrowing costs, attracts foreign investment, and facilitates cross-border trade. A position in the eurozone would also allow Bulgaria to have a greater say over the ECB's monetary policy trajectory. Croatia was the last country to join the eurozone in 2023. Neurological conditions affected more than 3 billion people worldwide in 2021, according to a major study published in The Lancet in 2024. These conditions impact the nervous system and comprise a wide variety of disorders, including epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, dementia and many others. Today, neurological diseases are the leading cause of illness and disability worldwide, and beyond the toll they take on patients and their loved ones, they also impose a significant economic burden. According to another study published in The Lancet, brain disorders are projected to cost the global economy 16 trillion dollars between 2010 and 2030, a figure largely driven by the early onset of these conditions and the resulting long-term loss of productivity. Given the need for research and treatment of brain disorders, some companies are investing in this area to advance our understanding of the brain. Among the most high-profile is Neuralink, founded by Elon Musk in 2016. However, Europe has also emerged as a powerhouse in neurotechnology. A notable example is the Spanish company Neuroelectrics, launched by Ana Maiques and Giulio Ruffini in 2011. Over the years, Neuroelectrics has expanded from its European roots to establish a presence in the United States, becoming an international leader in the field. Ana Maiques, CEO of Neuroelectrics, joined My Wildest Prediction to share her boldest insights and vision for the future of brain technology. My Wildest Prediction is a podcast series from Euronews Businesswhere we dare to imagine the future with business and tech visionaries. In this episode, Tom Goodwin talks to Ana Maiques, CEO and Co-Founder of Neuroelectrics. 'My wildest prediction is that neurotechnology is going to impact our daily lives in ways we cannot even imagine,' Ana Maiques told Euronews Business. Maiques clarified that neurotechnology tools should and will not be used to enhance individual traits such as intelligence or reverse ageing. However, she believes these tools will be applied to treat medical conditions, broaden people's experience of reality and strengthen our general understanding of how the brain works. 'A lot of people approach us! (...) We have a paper written with Refik Anadol where we monitored the impact on the visitors' brains of his AI-generated sculptures. Now, we are talking with Michelin-star chefs who want to study the impact of food on the brain from a scientific perspective,' she explained. Maiques acknowledged the fears some people have about using electricity in the brain but emphasised that much of this concern stems from a lack of understanding of the real, positive impact neurotechnology can have. Unlike Neuralink, which develops in-brain implants, Neuroeletrics takes a non–invasive approach, using external tools to monitor and interact with the brain. Neuroelectrics' standout product is the Neoprane Headcap. The cap features electrodes connected to a wireless module located in the back. These electrodes can both monitor the brain activity and deliver electrical stimulation. This tool can help diagnose sleep disorders, epilepsy, and other neurological conditions. It is especially useful in hospital settings where electroencephalogram (EEG) equipment may not be available or where technicians are not present. To develop these tools, Neuroelectrics has been using machine learning and AI for years. 'There is no way we can, as humans, decode the brain without the help of these kinds of tools,' Ana Maiques said. The CEO noted that advancements in AI could lead to the potential modelling of the brain, raising many ethical and scientific questions. However, she emphasised the importance of continued experimentation, as achieving a complete scientific understanding of the brain remains highly complex.
Miami Herald
13-05-2025
- Health
- Miami Herald
Morehouse College names new president
Courtesy: Morehouse College The Morehouse College Board of Trustees has named renowned public health leader and biostatistician Dr. F. DuBois Bowman, a 1992 graduate of Morehouse, as the College's 13th president following a national search. Dr. Bowman will assume the role on July 15, 2025, succeeding President David A. Thomas, who concludes his tenure in June. Dr. Bowman currently serves as dean of the University of Michigan School of Public Health and holds the Roderick J. Little Collegiate Professorship of Biostatistics. A nationally respected scholar, innovator, and academic leader, Bowman is a member of the National Academy of Medicine, a fellow of the American Statistical Association, and a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. 'Dr. Bowman's record of visionary leadership, his deep commitment to academic excellence, and his lifelong dedication to Morehouse make him the ideal choice to lead the College into its next era,' said Willie Woods '85, chairman of the Morehouse College Board of Trustees. 'He brings an extraordinary blend of intellectual rigor, strategic thinking, and values-driven leadership.' A leading expert in the statistical analysis of complex data sets, Dr. Bowman's research has transformed understanding of neurological and mental health disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, depression, and schizophrenia. His work has shaped more personalized therapeutic approaches and has explored how environmental factors affect brain function in youth. At the University of Michigan, Dr. Bowman leads a top-ranked school of public health with more than 1,300 students and an annual sponsored research portfolio exceeding $100 million. He has launched interdisciplinary initiatives to address public health challenges, such as firearm injury prevention, health equity, and infectious disease control. His leadership has fostered a culture of inclusion, innovation, and service across the school. A proud Morehouse alumnus, member of Phi Beta Kappa, and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Dr. Bowman has remained closely connected to his alma mater as a two-time Morehouse parent and a dedicated mentor, facilitating a University of Michigan pipeline program for students from Morehouse and Spelman colleges. In 2019, he was awarded the College's highest award for alumni – the Bennie Trailblazer Award –named after the sixth president of the College, Dr. Benjamin Elijah Mays. 'Returning to Morehouse as its 13th president is the honor of a lifetime,' said Dr. Bowman. 'This institution shaped who I am-instilling a commitment to excellence, justice, and impact. I am excited to partner with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and supporters to build on our legacy and write the next chapter of Morehouse's transformative story.' His appointment follows a historic milestone for the College, which was recently named both a Research College & University (RCU) and Opportunity College & University (OCU) in the 2025 Carnegie Classifications. The dual designation reflects Morehouse's growing investment in research and its enduring mission to provide students from underrepresented communities with access to life-changing education and competitive post-graduate outcomes. Prior to his deanship at Michigan, Dr. Bowman held academic and leadership positions at Columbia University and Emory University. He earned a Master of Science in Biostatistics from the University of Michigan and a Ph.D. in Biostatistics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Bowman is married to Cynthia Bowman who holds degrees from Spelman College, Georgia Tech, and Northwestern. They have four children, including a son who graduated from Morehouse in 2024 and a younger son who is currently enrolled at the College. The post Morehouse College names new president appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
ProMIS Neurosciences Showcases Preclinical Data on Platform-Derived Antibody and Vaccines for Neurodegenerative Diseases at Alzheimer's Disease/Parkinson's Disease 2025 International Conference
Multiple datasets support continued development of ProMIS' antibody therapeutics and vaccines that selectively target toxic misfolded proteins to treat neurodegenerative diseases CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ProMIS Neurosciences Inc. (Nasdaq: PMN), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the generation and development of antibody therapeutics and vaccines targeting toxic misfolded proteins in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and multiple system atrophy (MSA), today announced plans to deliver virtual oral presentations at the 2025 Alzheimer's and Parkison's Disease (AD/PD) International Conference taking place in Vienna, Austria from April 1 - 4, 2025. The oral presentations are available on demand starting on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at 7:00am C.E.T (2:00am E.T). 'We are pleased to demonstrate the potential of our computational modeling platform in the development of next-generation antibodies and targeted vaccines for neurodegenerative diseases such as AD, PD and ALS,' said Neil Warma, Chief Executive Officer of ProMIS Neurosciences. 'These promising preclinical data may support vaccination with our platform-derived epitopes and selective antibody targeting of misfolded toxic aggregates of TDP-43 as a potentially safe and effective method to treat neurodegenerative diseases. We look forward to sharing these data at the upcoming AD/PD 2025 International Conference.' Presentation details Title: Rational Design of Alzheimer's Vaccine to Maximize Selective Targeting of Toxic Amyloid-Beta Oligomers Presenter: Johanne Kaplan, Chief Development Officer, ProMIS Neurosciences Abstract Number: 1321 A large body of evidence indicates that soluble toxic oligomers of amyloid-beta (AβO) are a primary driver of AD. Through computational modeling, four different conformational B cell epitopes of AβOs were identified. A novel approach was utilized to select an optimal vaccine composition amongst 15 possible combinations of one to four epitopes to provide maximal binding to a toxic oligomer-enriched low molecular weight fraction of soluble AD brain extract. Results from the preclinical study showed that immunization with a single conformational epitope, peptide 301, the target of the PMN310 antibody, was sufficient to produce maximal reactivity against AD brain oligomers. Title: Novel Approach to Optimization of Alpha-Synuclein Vaccine Composition for Maximal Targeting of Toxic Alpha-Synuclein Species Presenter: Johanne Kaplan, Chief Development Officer, ProMIS Neurosciences Abstract Number: 1310 Vaccination against pathogenic species of alpha-synuclein (ASyn; toxic oligomers, small soluble seeding fibrils), has the potential to protect against synucleinopathies, which include Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies and multiple system atrophy. Vaccine constructs containing computationally-derived conformational B cell epitopes of misfolded pathogenic ASyn were tested in mice. The potential advantage of this approach, as opposed to inducing pan-ASyn reactivity, lies in preserving normal ASyn function and minimizing the diversion of active antibody by the more abundant non-toxic forms of the protein in the blood and central nervous system. Results from the preclinical study showed that vaccination with conformational B cell epitopes produced high affinity antibodies with the desired selectivity for pathogenic ASyn and identified optimal vaccine configurations for further development. Title: Selective Targeting of Pathogenic TDP-43 with Misfolding-Specific Monoclonal Antibodies and Intrabodies Against a Pathogenic Loss-of-Structure Epitope in the Nterminal Domain Presenter: Neil Cashman, MD, Chief Scientific Officer and Co-founder of ProMIS Neurosciences Abstract Number: 1426 TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) is associated with the pathogenesis of ALS, frontotemporal dementia, and AD. Normally, TDP-43 is predominantly localized in the nucleus, and regulates RNA splicing, transport, and stability. In disease, it is mislocalized to the cytoplasm and forms aggregates, which contribute to neurotoxicity and cell-to-cell propagation of pathogenic TDP-43. Development of effective immunotherapeutic agents requires stringent selectivity for misfolded TDP-43 in order to maintain the essential physiological functions of the normal isoform. The study's objective was to generate and evaluate the activity of monoclonal antibodies and intrabodies against an N-terminal domain epitope only exposed when the protein is misfolded in disease. Results of the preclinical study provided proof-of-concept evidence that supports selective targeting of misfolded toxic aggregates of TDP-43 as a potentially safe and effective avenue to treat neurodegenerative diseases associated with TDP-43 proteinopathy. Abstracts are available on the Poster and Publications page of the Company's website at About PMN310 PMN310 is a humanized monoclonal antibody (mAb) designed and developed based on its selectivity for soluble amyloid-beta oligomers, which are believed to be the most toxic and pathogenic form of Aβ, relative to Aβ monomers and amyloid plaques. Soluble AβOs have been observed to be potent neurotoxins that bind to neurons, impair synaptic function and induce neurodegeneration. By selectively targeting toxic soluble AβOs, PMN310 aims to directly address the growing body of evidence indicating they may be the primary underlying cause of the neurodegenerative process in Alzheimer's disease. PMN310 has successfully completed a Phase 1a clinical study (NCT06105528), a double-blind, placebo-controlled, single ascending dose study of the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of PMN310 infusions in healthy volunteers. About ProMIS Neurosciences Inc. ProMIS Neurosciences Inc. is a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on generating and developing antibody therapeutics and vaccines selectively targeting toxic misfolded proteins in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and multiple system atrophy (MSA). The Company's proprietary target discovery engine applies a thermodynamic, computational discovery platform - ProMIS™ and Collective Coordinates - to predict novel targets known as Disease Specific Epitopes on the molecular surface of misfolded proteins. PMN310, the Company's lead product candidate for the treatment of AD, is a differentiated, humanized monoclonal antibody that has been designed to specifically bind toxic Aβ oligomers and to not bind plaque or monomers. Oligomers are known to drive disease progression in AD and PMN310 appears to selectively bind oligomers. PMN310 has successfully completed a Phase 1a clinical study and is dosing Alzheimer's disease patients in a Phase 1b clinical trial in AD patients. ProMIS has offices in Cambridge, Massachusetts and Toronto, Ontario. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Certain information in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, 'forward-looking information') within the meaning of applicable securities laws. In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as 'plans', 'pleased to', 'look forward to', 'potential to', 'targets', 'expects' or 'does not expect', 'is expected', 'excited about', 'an opportunity exists', 'is positioned', 'estimates', 'intends', 'assumes', 'anticipates' or 'does not anticipate' or 'believes', or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results 'may', 'could', 'would', 'might', 'will' or 'will be taken', 'occur' or 'be achieved'. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information. Specifically, this news release contains forward-looking information relating to the Company's preclinical data, novel vaccine approach to target toxic oligomers and the potential implications thereof, statements of reference to its preclinical studies and to its lead product, PMN310, designed for the treatment of AD, statements related to the targeting of toxic misfolded proteins in neurodegenerative diseases and the belief that they have greater therapeutic potential due to reduction of off-target activity, management's belief that its patented platform technology has created an antibody candidate specific to toxic misfolded oligomers, and therapeutic activity and preferential targeting of toxic soluble aggregates by Aß-directed antibodies and the potential implications thereof. Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts but instead represent management's current expectations, estimates and projections regarding the future of our business, future plans, strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Forward-looking information is necessarily based on a number of opinions, assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the date of this news release, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including, but not limited to, the risk that preclinical results or early results may not be indicative of future results, the Company's ability to fund its operations and continue as a going concern, its accumulated deficit and the expectation for continued losses and future financial results. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking information include, among others, the factors discussed throughout the 'Risk Factors' section of the Company's most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and in its subsequent filings filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking information, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. For further information: Visit us at Please submit media inquiries to info@ For Investor Relations, please contact: Precision AQ (formerly Stern IR) Anne Marie Fields, Managing Director Tel. 212-362-1200 Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Better AI for Alexa, Tesla? Princeton team cracks brain's decision-making code
Imagine that you are crossing a busy street at a crosswalk, and out of nowhere, a car suddenly blares its siren. Your head would automatically swivel around, you might even take a step back or forward. The human brain has to process a ton of information to make split-second decisions. How does it compute conflicting and similar sensory cues to make the most optimal choice? A new study from Princeton neuroscientists provides a fresh perspective into this complex process. Their findings could not only improve our understanding of decision-making in the human brain but could also advance artificial intelligence systems, like self-driving cars and virtual assistants. 'The goal of the research was to understand if low-dimensional mechanisms were operating inside large recurrent neural networks,' said study author Christopher Langdon. In the latest study, the researchers came up with the 'latent circuit' model, which posits that only a few select neurons referred to as 'ringleader' neurons are responsible for decision-making, as opposed to studying the whole web of interconnected neurons. This method, called the 'low-dimensional' model, changes the way in which brain computations are understood. To validate their model, Langdon and Engel used a decision making scenario commonly employed within humans as well as other animals. In this task, participants first see a shape on a screen (a square or triangle) that serves as a context cue. Then, they view a moving grid of dots (a sensory cue). Depending on the initial shape, they must determine either the color of the dots (red or green) or the direction of their motion (left or right). The researchers analyzed the neural activity recorded during the task using the latent circuit model. They observed a central feature pattern: when motion was the relevant cue, the neurons that shaped were able to suppress the activity of the color-processing neurons. When color was the salient cue, the reverse phenomenon was observed—color-processing neurons inhibited those that were motion-related. 'It was very exciting to find an interpretable, concrete mechanism hiding inside a big network,' Langdon said. The latent circuit model does not only capture relationships between neurons; it also makes predictions. The researchers showed that if specific neural connections in the model were weakened or removed, decision-making performance deteriorated in a certain logical fashion. 'The cool thing about our new work is that we showed how you can translate all those things that you can do with a circuit onto a big network,' Langdon said. 'When you build a small neural circuit by hand, there's lots of things you can do to convince yourself you understand it. You can play with connections and perturb nodes, and have some idea what should happen to behavior when you play with the circuit in this way.' Disorders like depression, ADHD, and Alzheimer's disease often involve difficulties with decision-making. This research could one day inform better treatments for these conditions by revealing the underlying mathematical principles. Apart from advancing our understanding of the human nervous system, this model could enhance artificial intelligence. Digital assistants like Alexa or even self-driving cars depend on decision-making algorithms that combine several sensory inputs. If AI systems were designed to adapt to and resolve conflicting information just as the human brain does, they would become far more reliable. The next phase of research will involve applying the latent circuit model to other well-studied decision-making tasks. 'A lot of the tightly controlled decision-making tasks that experimentalists study, I believe that they likely have relatively simple latent mechanisms,' Langdon said. 'My hope is that we can start looking for these mechanisms now in those datasets," he concluded. The study has been published in Nature Neuroscience.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Axsome Stock Surges 20% on Auvelity Patent Settlement With Teva
Shares of Axsome Therapeutics AXSM jumped 20.2% on Monday after the company announced that it has entered into a settlement agreement with Teva Pharmaceuticals TEVA related to patents for the psychiatry drug, Auvelity. The settlement agreement resolves the patent litigation brought by Axsome on Teva for submitting an abbreviated new drug application to the FDA, seeking marketing approval for a generic version of Auvelity in the United States before applicable patents expire. Auvelity is approved for the treatment of adults with major depressive disorder ('MDD'). It is the first approved drug in Axsome's portfolio. Auvelity was launched in the United States in 2022. The company is conducting several label expansion studies on Auvelity targeting other central nervous system disorders like Alzheimer's disease ('AD') associated with agitation and smoking cessation. In the past three months, shares of Axsome have surged 27.7% against the industry's 7.8% decline. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Per the settlement terms, Axsome will grant Teva a license to sell a generic version of Auvelity in the United States, subject to approval and other customary conditions, on or after Sept. 30, 2038. However, if pediatric exclusivity is granted for Auvelity, the launch of Teva's generic version will be delayed until or after March 31, 2039. Axsome and Teva will end all ongoing patent litigation over Auvelity patents in the U.S. District Court in New Jersey. Per AXSM, the settlement agreement resolves all outstanding patent litigation relating to Auvelity. Axsome and Teva are required to submit the settlement agreement for review by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice, as mandated by law. This is a huge win for Axsome. It protects the company's Auvelity sales from generic erosion in the U.S. market for MDD treatment. The drug is the primary top-line driver for AXSM. In the first nine months of 2024, the drug generated sales worth $198.8 million, driven by an increase in unit sales volume which indicates a rise of 145.4% year over year in the United States. Auvelity sales accounted for 75% of the company's net product revenues recognized during the same period. Last month, Axsome reported robust preliminary net-product revenues for Auvelity and narcolepsy drug, Sunosi, for the fourth quarter and full-year 2024. Auvelity sales in the fourth quarter of 2024 are expected to be around $92.6 million, bringing the full-year number to around $291.4 million. Sunosi's net-product revenues are expected to be around $25.7 million and $93.8 million for the fourth quarter and full-year 2024, respectively. Axsome is also currently gearing up to submit a new drug application for AXS-05 in AD agitation to the FDA in the second half of 2025, based on efficacy and safety data from two separate phase III studies, evaluating the candidate for treating agitation associated with the same. Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. price-consensus-chart | Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. Quote Axsome currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks from the sector are BioMarin Pharmaceutical BMRN and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals ALNY, each currently carryinga Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 (Strong Buy) Rank stocks here. In the past 30 days, estimates for BioMarin Pharmaceutical's 2024 earnings per share have increased from $3.28 to $3.29. Estimates for 2025 earnings per share have remained constant at $4.01 during the same timeframe. In the past three months, BioMarin Pharmaceutical shares have lost 4%. BMRN's earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 28.7%. In the past 30 days, estimates for Alnylam Pharmaceuticals' 2024 loss per share have remained constant at 39 cents. The estimate for 2025 earnings per share is currently pegged at 41 cents. In the past three months, shares of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals have gained 1.9%. ALNY's earnings beat estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and matched once, delivering an average surprise of 65.67%. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ALNY) : Free Stock Analysis Report BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (BMRN) : Free Stock Analysis Report Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (TEVA) : Free Stock Analysis Report Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. (AXSM) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on click here. Zacks Investment Research Sign in to access your portfolio
