Latest news with #CWRU
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Blood-Brain Barrier 'Guardian' Shows Promise Against Alzheimer's
A new drug targeting inflammation in the brain has been shown to bolster the blood-brain barrier in mice, pioneering a potential shift in the fight against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. "Finding [the drug] blocks brain inflammation and protects the blood-brain barrier was an exciting new discovery," says pathologist Sanford Markowitz from Case Western Reserve University (CWRU). What's more, the researchers note that amyloid levels – the abnormally clumping proteins traditionally thought to play a role in the progress of Alzheimer's – remained the same. This suggests the new treatment, focusing on an immune protein called 15-PGDH, targets a completely different physiological pathway than many existing medications. "This is important because the most recently approved Alzheimer's drugs focus only on removing amyloid and, unfortunately, don't work very well and have risky side effects," explains Markowitz. "Inhibiting 15-PGDH thus offers a completely new approach for Alzheimer's disease treatment." The blood-brain barrier is a layer of tissue that any substance entering the brain via the blood must pass through. When intact, the barrier filters out potential dangers such as toxins, bacteria, and viruses. Traumatic brain injury can damage this barrier, increasing risks to brain cells. Such blood-brain barrier deterioration has also been identified as a possible early indicator of dementias like Alzheimer's. By investigating the molecules active within the blood-brain barrier cells, CWRU physiologist Yeojung Koh and colleagues were able to identify that the immune enzyme 15-PGDH was elevated in both mice and humans with neurodegeneration arising from age, injury, or disease. In response, the researchers developed SW033291; a compound that can block the enzyme's activity. The medication was found to successfully protect the blood-brain barrier in mice and prevent cognitive impairment even after traumatic brain injury. "In these mouse models treated with the drug, the blood-brain barrier remained completely undamaged," says neuroscientist Andrew Pieper, also from CWRU. "The brains didn't undergo neurodegeneration and, most importantly, cognition and memory capacity were completely preserved." With almost 10 million new global cases of dementia yearly, an increasing number of people face cognitive decline, either personally or in loved ones. And despite decades of research, treatment outcomes remain unclear. Exploring new tactics like this is essential to improving lives, but there's still a long way to go. "Our findings establish 15-PGDH as a guardian of blood-brain barrier integrity… and a compelling target for protection from neurodegenerative disease," Koh and team write in their paper. This research was published in PNAS. Anti-Aging Cocktail Extends Mouse Lifespan by About 30 Percent Sudden Death Among Professional Bodybuilders Raises Health Concerns Microbe From Man's Wound Able to Feed on Hospital Plastic
Axios
20-02-2025
- Politics
- Axios
11 indicted for pro-Palestinian vandalism at CWRU
Eleven pro-Palestinian protesters were indicted Wednesday in connection with acts of vandalism at Case Western Reserve University last November. Why it matters: Student demonstrators and their allies continue to face reprisals for a pro-Palestinian encampment outside the campus library last May and subsequent acts of protest during the Israel-Hamas war and the destruction of Gaza. State of play: The 11 indicted are between the ages of 20 and 25 and could face six months or more in prison for three felony counts each of breaking and entering, possessing criminal tools and vandalism. Zoom in: The indictment alleges the protesters "broke into" the CWRU campus between 3:30 and 4:30am on Nov. 8, 2024, and smeared gallons of red paint on buildings, walkways, an electrical pole and a campus statue. The incident caused $400,000 in property damage, according to Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O'Malley. What they're saying: "Peaceful protests are a fundamental cornerstone of our democracy," O'Malley said in a statement. "When demonstrators cross over the line and commit criminal acts, it is our responsibility to hold those individuals accountable." The other side: Student protesters have accused CWRU president Eric Kaler of aggressively punishing campus activists for their political affiliations. When campus police issued arrest warrants in January, the Students for Justice in Palestine group characterized Kaler's pursuit of student protesters as a "politically-motivated attempt to silence Palestine advocacy." It "reflects poorly on the institution for higher-learning's ability to engage with and respect a racially, ethnically, and politically diverse student body," the statement read.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Yahoo
Police say suspects left important evidence at East Cleveland murder scene: I-Team
EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio (WJW) – East Cleveland police say a suspect involved in the murder of a Strongsville man left an important piece of evidence at the scene: his cell phone. 'We found a cell phone that we believe belongs to Shaheed Mincy,' said East Cleveland Acting Police Chief Ken Lundy. 'There were a lot of texts going on and it clearly shows they planned this. They had planned to rob the victim.' Police have issued a warrant for Mincy's arrest and are currently searching for him. They say there are at least two other suspects involved. 'This was all caught on video,' Lundy said. 'We will find them. They need to just turn themselves in.' 11 indicted on vandalism at CWRU after protest The murder happened around 6:45 p.m. on Feb. 11 at a gas station on Noble Road in East Cleveland. Police say the victim, Maher Salti of Strongsville, went to the area to sell an iPad. 'The victim wanted to meet at the police station to make the sale, but the suspects told him no and suggested meeting at the gas station,' said Joe Marche, commander of the East Cleveland detective bureau. 'It's important for people to remember if they are selling to someone they don't know. If the person you are meeting does not want to meet at the police department, then that should be a red flag. There's a problem. Always meet at the police department.'With the help of the victim's family, detectives were able to track the victim's personal iPad that was taken during the robbery. The iPad was found in a field. Car missing Warren man was driving found burned in Cleveland Lundy and Marche say they are determined to get justice for the victim and his family. Anyone who knows any information on the suspects or has information on the murder is asked to call East Cleveland police detectives as soon as possible. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press
11-02-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Symphony Robotics Licenses New Robotics Technology to Fight Brain Tumors
Symphony Robotics has secured an exclusive worldwide license from Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) for a novel MRI-guided, magnetically actuated, flexible micro robotic arm technology. This groundbreaking system navigates non linear trajectories, enabling precise, micro-invasive surgeries with real-time image guidance. CWRU researchers and faculty have been instrumental in the development and advancement of this innovation. Symphony Robotics is now advancing the patents-pending technology, which combines micro-robotic arms, real-time computer vision, and state-of-the-art artificial intelligence. The initial focus is to provide neurosurgeons with enhanced capabilities for complex microsurgical procedures, targeting brain cancer—particularly Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM)—as well as epilepsy. The ultimate goal is to reduce incision and craniotomy sizes to less than 4 millimeters, representing a tenfold reduction compared to current clinical norms. GBM is among the most aggressive and challenging brain cancers to treat. Existing surgical methods, such as craniotomies, are highly invasive, requiring large skull openings and posing significant risks, including trauma to healthy brain tissue and delays in follow-up treatments such as radiation, chemotherapy, or drug delivery. Other methods such as laser ablation only support a limited and partial treatment option. Symphony Robotics' flexible, non-linear micro robotic arm aims to enable extended and precise access to deep seated lesions while protecting surrounding eloquent tissue, offering the potential to improve outcome and quality of life for GBM patients. Symphony Robotics founder and CEO, Mordechai (Moty) Avisar, stated: 'Our technology will introduce unprecedented advancements in neurosurgery. The potential to enhance surgical precision and improve patient outcomes is truly groundbreaking. Neurosurgeons will be able to perform highly targeted procedures on deep-seated pathologies through significantly smaller surgical openings—down to the micro level—while navigating complex, geometrically dispersed pathologies with greater safety and accuracy.' Dr. Robert Louis of the Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute, Hoag Memorial Hospital in Newport Beach, California, commented: 'The micro-robotic arm's MRI-compatible maneuverability will allow neurosurgeons to perform complete ablations through a single micro-opening, even in lesions that are otherwise untreatable due to their location and/or shape. This innovation could reduce the insertion hole size from something akin to a coffee cup to that of a small stirring straw. Could craniotomies become obsolete? It certainly seems possible.' CWRU has spent over a decade developing the underlying micro robotic arm technology, supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF). The University plans to continue collaborating with Symphony Robotics on further development. Symphony's ultra-maneuverable micro-robotic technology is built on two proprietary advancements: leveraging the magnetic capabilities of MRI systems for non-linear navigation of the micro robotic arms and enabling real-time guidance with MRI's high resolution imaging. The company is preparing for nationwide testing in collaboration with leading partner product is not available for clinical use and has not been cleared for use by the US FDA. About Symphony Robotics Symphony Robotics (SR) is leading the development and commercialization, of an advanced, ultra-maneuverable surgical micro-robot designed to revolutionize neurosurgery, particularly for treating Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM). The core of this technology is a non-linear, flexible micro-robotic arm capable of navigating through complex brain structures with unparalleled precision. This groundbreaking innovation integrates real-time, MRI-guided visualization with cutting-edge AI and computer vision, giving neurosurgeons enhanced control over delicate procedures. Symphony Robotics (SR) is leading the development and commercialization, of an advanced, ultra-maneuverable surgical micro-robot designed to revolutionize neurosurgery, particularly for treating Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM). The core of this technology is a non-linear, flexible micro-robotic arm capable of navigating through complex brain structures with unparalleled precision. This groundbreaking innovation integrates real-time, MRI-guided visualization with cutting-edge AI and computer vision, giving neurosurgeons enhanced control over delicate procedures. SOURCE: Symphony Robotics Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 02/11/2025 10:11 AM/DISC: 02/11/2025 10:12 AM
