Brain Repair
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Neurology
Abstract
The Cooperative in Brain Repair has used MRC funding for four posts to provide the infrastructure that has brought together 16 research groups to form a research centre with a critical mass of scientists working in the field of Brain Repair. The aim of the Cooperative is to develop treatments for chronic and crippling diseases of the nervous system. At present, when the brain or spinal cord are damaged, no repair takes place. This means that patients who suffering stroke, head injury, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, or progressive damage through Parkinson?s disease, Alzheimer?s disease or other conditions do not regain full neurological function. Many of these patients live for many years. The science of Brain Repair, which has sprung from developmental biology, is starting to develop treatments that can repair some of this hitherto permanent damage to the nervous system. In the coming years these treatments will revolutionise the practice of neurology, and the lives of those with chronic neurological damage.
Technical Summary
The main target diseases of the Cooperative are:
Neurodegenerative disease Parkinson?s disease (PD)
Huntington?s disease (HD)
Dementias affecting the cortex and subcortical regions
Alzheimers disease (AD)
Demyelinating disease Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Congenital disorders
Acute CNS damage Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)
Head Injury
Stroke
To develop treatments for these diseases the Cooperative will continue to conduct research into the following basic technologies:
1. Mechanisms of cell death, neurodegeneration and the development of neuroprotective
treatments
2. Mechanisms of axon degeneration and axon protection
3. Stem cell and precursor pathology
4. Axon regeneration
5. Plasticity
6. Stem cell biology
7. Remyelination
8. Neuronal transplantation
9. Biomarkers of disease
10. Clinical applications
Neurodegenerative disease Parkinson?s disease (PD)
Huntington?s disease (HD)
Dementias affecting the cortex and subcortical regions
Alzheimers disease (AD)
Demyelinating disease Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Congenital disorders
Acute CNS damage Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)
Head Injury
Stroke
To develop treatments for these diseases the Cooperative will continue to conduct research into the following basic technologies:
1. Mechanisms of cell death, neurodegeneration and the development of neuroprotective
treatments
2. Mechanisms of axon degeneration and axon protection
3. Stem cell and precursor pathology
4. Axon regeneration
5. Plasticity
6. Stem cell biology
7. Remyelination
8. Neuronal transplantation
9. Biomarkers of disease
10. Clinical applications
Publications

Ffrench-Constant C
(2004)
Integrins: versatile integrators of extracellular signals.
in Trends in cell biology

Franklin RJ
(2008)
Remyelination in the CNS: from biology to therapy.
in Nature reviews. Neuroscience

Galtrey CM
(2007)
The role of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans in regeneration and plasticity in the central nervous system.
in Brain research reviews

García-Alías G
(2009)
Chondroitinase ABC treatment opens a window of opportunity for task-specific rehabilitation.
in Nature neuroscience

Goy Rocio Laguna
(2007)
The future of cell therapies in the treatment of Parkinson's disease
in EXPERT OPINION ON BIOLOGICAL THERAPY

Hunt DP
(2010)
Origins of gliogenic stem cell populations within adult skin and bone marrow.
in Stem cells and development

Jallow M
(2009)
Genome-wide and fine-resolution association analysis of malaria in West Africa.
in Nature genetics

Joannides AJ
(2008)
Human embryonic stem cells: an experimental and therapeutic resource for neurological disease.
in Journal of the neurological sciences

Laguna Goya R
(2007)
The future of cell therapies in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
in Expert opinion on biological therapy

Loos RJ
(2008)
Common variants near MC4R are associated with fat mass, weight and risk of obesity.
in Nature genetics
Guideline Title | Guidelines in spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Parkinsons |
Description | guidelines |
Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
Policy Influence Type | Citation in clinical guidelines |
Impact | Improved clinical trials methodology |
Description | reviews |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Citation in clinical reviews |
Impact | Advancing treatment of neurological conditions |
Title | clinical database |
Description | Clinics in Parkinson's, Huntington's , MS, stroke |
Type Of Material | Biological samples |
Year Produced | 2006 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Improved understanding of disease progression and treatment |
Description | clinical |
Organisation | Sanofi |
Department | Genzyme Corporation |
Country | United States |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Suppression of immune system for prevention of multiple sclerosis Parkinsons clinic of incident patients Huntington's clinic |
Collaborator Contribution | Mutinational groups to develop treatments for MS, PD, HD |
Impact | International phase 3 trail for prevention of multiple sclerosis Establishment of different patterns of Parkinsons disease International consortium for transplantation in Parkinson's Embryonic transplants for Huntington's |
Title | Alpha9 integrin in axon regeneration |
Description | Transfection with alpha9 integrin promotes axon regeneration |
IP Reference | WO2007083133 |
Protection | Patent granted |
Year Protection Granted | 2007 |
Licensed | No |
Impact | none yet |
Title | Microchannel prosthesis for nerve repair |
Description | A microchannel regenerative nerve prosthesis for peripheral nerve repair and recording |
IP Reference | WO2009090398 |
Protection | Patent granted |
Year Protection Granted | 2009 |
Licensed | No |
Impact | A new concept in nerve repair |
Title | chondroitinase in spinal cord injury |
Description | Chondroitinase promotes plasticity and recovery after spinal cord injury |
IP Reference | JP2010132682 |
Protection | Patent granted |
Year Protection Granted | 2010 |
Licensed | Yes |
Impact | Progression towards clinical trials |
Title | PD tests |
Description | Various biomarkers for Parkinson's, including motor tasks, eye movement tasks, cognitive assessment |
Type | Diagnostic Tool - Non-Imaging |
Current Stage Of Development | Initial development |
Year Development Stage Completed | 2009 |
Development Status | Under active development/distribution |
Impact | Improved staging of Parkinsons |
Title | interface |
Description | A new regenerative microchannel interface for nerve repair |
Type | Therapeutic Intervention - Cellular and gene therapies |
Current Stage Of Development | Initial development |
Year Development Stage Completed | 2008 |
Development Status | Under active development/distribution |
Impact | still in development |
Description | Many audiences |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Many appearances by members of the consortium on radio, TV, patient groups, schools, general public Awareness of progress |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2006,2007,2008,2009,2010 |