Brain Developed in Space Could Help Cure World's Top Killer Disease

A new experiment by biotechnology company Axonis Therapeutics could prove to be a game changer in treatment of mental health conditions. There are several mental health conditions that have no cure but only treatments to manage symptoms. The list includes Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Huntington's Disease, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder (in severe cases), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Chronic Depression amongst others.

Now in a rather stunning development, scientists have grown tiny human brains in space to research new treatment for various mental health conditions like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and spinal injuries. Interestingly, since there is low gravity in space, it enabled researchers to create "brain organoids" (cluster of cells that replicate structure and function of brain) in just 72 hours. The same process could take months on earth.

The primary agenda of this is to allow scientists to explore a new to treat the currently uncurable neurological conditions. For this new treatment, researchers are using a reprogrammed virus to deliver beneficial gene therapy to central nervous system cells (CNS). Such modified viruses are called viral vectors, and they could be particularly useful for treating Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and spinal cord injuries.

As reported by Daily Mail, every year, almost 600,000 Americans are diagnosed with either Alzheimer's or Parkinson's each year, and roughly 18,000 new spinal cord injuries occur.

How Dangerous Is Alzheimer's Disease?

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects memory, thinking, and behaviour. It is the most common form of dementia, a group of symptoms that interfere with daily life. In Alzheimer's, abnormal protein deposits, such as amyloid plaques and tau tangles, accumulate in the brain, disrupting communication between nerve cells and leading to their gradual death.

Early symptoms often include memory loss, confusion, and difficulty with problem-solving or decision-making. As the disease progresses, individuals may experience significant personality changes, trouble with language, disorientation, and a decline in the ability to perform everyday tasks.

Parkinson's disease is a neurogenerative disorder that affects predominately the dopamine-producing (dopaminergic) neurons in the brain. People suffering from it face problems in motor movement, tremors, stiffness, and impaired balance. As symptoms progress, people may have difficulty walking, talking, or completing other simple tasks. Interestingly, several research studies have indicated that this condition may begin in the gut rather than in the brain as gastrointestinal problems are common among people with neurodegenerative disorders.

As the name suggests, spinal cord injuries (SCI) occur when there is damage to the spinal cord. This often results from trauma such as accidents, falls, or physical violence. These injuries can lead to a loss of function, sensation, or movement below the site of the injury. The severity of the impact depends on the location and extent of the damage. Injuries higher up on the spine, such as in the cervical region (neck), can result in paralysis of all four limbs (quadriplegia), while injuries lower on the spine may cause paralysis in the legs (paraplegia). SCI can also cause other complications like loss of bladder and bowel control, respiratory problems, and chronic pain.