Latest news with #brainHealth
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Neurotech will reshape how we live, predicts CEO Ana Maiques
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. Related What if health tech ends up with us being our own best doctors? Whether to support sleep or performance, everyone will use mind-reading devices 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.
The Independent
6 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Ultra-processed food may pave the way for Parkinson's
A new study suggests that regular consumption of ultra-processed foods may increase the risk of developing early signs of Parkinson's disease. Ultra-processed foods include mass-produced bread, crisps, cereals, and fizzy drinks, which contain preservatives, artificial colours and flavours, and additives like emulsifiers. The study, published in the journal Neurology, tracked 43,000 people over 26 years, monitoring their health status and dietary habits through questionnaires and medical exams. Participants who consumed 11 or more servings of ultra-processed food per day had a 2.5-fold higher chance of showing early signs of Parkinson's disease compared to those consuming fewer than three servings. An author of the study, Xiang Gao from Fudan University in China, said reducing the intake of processed foods and increasing the consumption of whole, nutritious foods could be beneficial for maintaining brain health.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
This Common Supplement Shows Early Potential in Alzheimer's Treatment
Creatine is one of the most well-studied supplements out there. While it's best known for helping beginners boost strength and build muscle, that's just scratching the surface of what it can do. Research shows creatine also increases energy stores in the brain and may enhance cognitive function. Even more exciting? A recent study suggests it might reduce symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The study, published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions, followed 20 patients with Alzheimer's for eight weeks. Each participant was given 20 grams of creatine (Cr) per day for the duration of the two months to see if the regimen was practical, safe, and whether it would make any noticeable difference in brain function. To determine the effects of high-dose creatine intake, researchers used a combination of standardized cognitive assessments and blood tests. Blood tests revealed that creatine levels in the patient's blood serum increased significantly by week four and remained raised through week eight. Overall, brain creatine increased by 11%. Remarkably, participants showed measurable improvements in several areas of cognition—including global cognition, working memory, and oral reading—suggesting that creatine has potential brain-boosting benefits beyond the isn't the first time creatine has been used to improve brain function. A different study stated that "creatine has also been shown to have antioxidant properties, reduce mental fatigue, protect the brain from neurotoxicity, and improve facets/components of neurological disorders like depression and bipolar disorder." Research also shows that supplementing creatine can increase brain creatine stores, which is shown to enhance brain function and improve cognition. This may help explain some of the positive effects on cognition and memory shown when creatine was used by Alzheimer's patients. Although the study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions was small, the results suggest that creatine could play an important role in supporting brain health, especially in older populations. "Determining whether AD patients benefit from CrM supplementation will require further investigation," the study authors state. "The study design limitations prevent the ability to make conclusions of efficacy; thus, we urge caution when interpreting these results. Nonetheless, our study provides the first evidence in humans that CrM supplementation is feasible and may increase brain Cr and offer cognitive benefits to patients with AD." This Common Supplement Shows Early Potential in Alzheimer's Treatment first appeared on Men's Journal on May 23, 2025
Al Arabiya
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
Sports' ticking time bomb: Former wrestler's mission to save athletes' brains
The excitement of competitive sports is hard to beat and drives athletes to push themselves to the limit. But over the past couple of decades, the risk of concussion and brain damage involved in contact sports has been revealed through some very tragic stories, where athletes have experienced serious behavioral changes and have taken their own lives or even killed others. This week's guest on the Riz Khan Show, Dr. Chris Nowinski, had a promising career playing American football from a young age, before becoming something of a star in the world of professional wrestling. But after suffering repeated violent blows to the head and regular severe concussions, his life took a turn that forced him to face reality. He turned his Harvard-educated brain to finding out what exactly was going on in the minds of athletes, both metaphorically and literally, when they faced repeated severe head trauma.
