Latest news with #GrenobleUniversityHospital
Euronews
31-07-2025
- Health
- Euronews
Light stimulation shows promise in slowing Parkinson's, scientists say
French scientists are experimenting with a new way to combat Parkinson's disease: using light to stimulate damaged nerve cells in the brain. Researchers from a biomedical research centre affiliated with Grenoble University Hospital announced their progress on Radio France, explaining that while the trial is still at a very early stage, it could lead to breakthroughs in the treatment of the neurodegenerative disease. Around 10 million people worldwide have Parkinson's, and that figure is expected to double by 2050, according to Parkinson's Europe. There is no cure, but researchers have been searching for ways to slow the disease and alleviate symptoms, which include tremours, muscle rigidity, and slowness of movement. If it is successful in larger studies, the French clinical trial could help disrupt the progression of the disease through a non-invasive technique that stimulates the functional recovery of neurons, or nerve cells. The study targets dopamine-secreting neurons, which are critically affected as Parkinson's progresses. Around half of these cells may be damaged by the time symptoms appear, while patients lose an average of 10 per cent of their dopamine receptors per year, according to Dr Stephan Chabardès, a neurosurgeon at Grenoble University Hospital. The aim of the trial is to slow down patients' neurological deterioration, Chabardès said. The technique directs light beams to neurons deep inside the brain to target mitochondria – responsible for energy production within the cell – to stimulate them and improve their function, thereby revitalising the damaged cells. Chabardès said that in order to access these deep brain regions, the researchers developed a special compact device that combines advanced expertise in electronics, photonics, and nanotechnology, enabling the system to get smaller without sacrificing performance. "It is the combination of this medical expertise in neurosurgery with expertise in micro and nanotechnologies that makes it possible to achieve these medical feats," he said. So far, the technology has been applied to seven patients with early stages of the disease, and preliminary results indicate a slowdown in the deterioration of symptoms in three of them, especially with continued stimulation. It appeared that the light stimulation helped restore some brain function in these three cases, Chabardès said. "It's very preliminary, but what we are seeing is quite promising," Chabardès said. He noted that researchers will only launch a larger clinical trial if the study finds a tangible and stable effect.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
British man killed by avalanche in the Alps
A British man has died after being swept 50ft in an avalanche at the top of the Val Thorens resort in the French Alps. The 27-year-old man was found buried under an avalanche that was triggered by heavy snowfall at around 10am on Thursday, authorities said. The man, who has not been named, was reportedly standing on the side of the road near the entrance to the Val Thorens ski resort where he was visiting friends, when he was swept up by the avalanche and carried 50 feet. When police arrived at the scene, the man was in cardiac arrest. He was transferred to Grenoble University Hospital, where he died later that night. 'Four landslides have been reported in Les Menuires and Val Thorens,' said Ludovic Trautmann, director of the Savoie district. 'Given the conditions in the coming days, we are calling for the utmost vigilance. The buried person was affected by the landslide at the bottom of the resort.' Heavy snowfall has wreaked havoc across the Swiss, Italian and French Alps in recent days, causing power outages across thousands of homes and severe traffic disruption. Residents and holidaymakers in the French town of Tignes were put under lockdown on Thursday, which was lifted that same evening. Heavy trucks were also banned from using the main Mont Blanc tunnel between France and Italy. In Italy, a 92-year-old man was found dead in his flooded home in Piedmont, where heavy rain had turned to snow. A father, 64, and his son, 33, were also killed after their car was swept away by currents caused by heavy rain near Vicenza in Veneto. By 6pm on Friday, the French national weather service lifted alerts for avalanches in the Savoie. The heavy snowfall coincided with Easter weekend, when holidaymakers typically make their final ski run of the season. On Friday, skiers returned to the slopes in Val Thorens under clear skies. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
18-04-2025
- Climate
- Telegraph
British man killed by avalanche in the Alps
A British man has died after being swept 50ft in an avalanche at the top of the Val Thorens resort in the French Alps. The 27-year-old man was found buried under an avalanche that was triggered by heavy snowfall at around 10am on Thursday morning, local authorities said. The man, who has not been named, was reportedly standing on the side of the road near the entrance of the Val Thorens ski resort where he was visiting friends, when he was swept up by the avalanche and carried 50 feet. When police officers arrived at the scene, the man was already in cardiac arrest. He was transferred to Grenoble University Hospital where he died later that night. 'Four landslides have been reported in Les Menuires and Val Thorens,' said Ludovic Trautmann, director of the Savoie district. 'Given the conditions in the coming days, we are calling for the utmost vigilance. The buried person was affected by the landslide at the bottom of the resort.' Heavy snowfall has wreaked havoc across the Swiss, Italian and French Alps in recent days, causing power outages across thousands of homes and severe traffic disruption. Residents and holidaymakers in the French town of Tignes were put under lockdown yesterday, which was lifted that same evening. Heavy trucks were also banned from using the main Mont Blanc tunnel between France and Italy. In Italy, a 92-year-old man was found dead in his flooded home in Piedmont, where heavy rain had turned to snow. A father, 64, and his son, 33, were also killed after their car was swept away by currents caused by heavy rain near Vicenza in Veneto. By 6pm on Friday, the French national weather service lifted alerts for avalanches in the Savoie. The heavy snowfall coincided with Easter weekend, when holidaymakers typically make their final ski run of the season. On Friday, skiers returned to the slopes in Val Thorens under clear skies.
